Yes it's anime but it's got some deep stuff going on here and it's definitely worth a look and worth thinking about
You've seen the anime now check out the response to part 3 by John Lew
This is a response to the video, "How i stopped worrying and learned to love the third impact". The video is from the well known anime neon genesis evangelion. The video talks about self,truth, reality and changes that influence reality
"I see so this another possibility, another possible reality this current myself is the same way its not the true myself. I can be any way i wish to be!"
In the beginning of the clip we see Shinji going to class and interacting with the students. What goes on is much different than the way he acts normally. The interactions with his fellow students is different. In much of Evangelion series Shinji personality is very withdrawn and spends much of the time shunning the real world because of past trauma he has endured.
Each day since we are born we see numerous images that change and shape us in ways we dont think about normally. These images can be about ourselves, products, lifestyle, etc. We can also be lead to blindly follow those images and fool ourselves into thinking that is the only "reality." Turn on your television right now and watch how many commercials and images you see. Then turn it off and thinking about what you saw and how those same things can be used to change your perception.
After a while something changes in your thinking. You ask yourself, " I dont believe in the perception or image that was shown to me!" The dialogue of the anime when translated can differ from the clip so please refer to this page which has the text from this episode ( http://www.animanga.com/scripts/textesgb/eva26.html)
Two characters say this to Shinji about the mind and reality.
Makoto:It's your mind that conceives that the reality is bad and hateful.
Shigeru: The mind which confuses the reality with the truth.
As with the images that help form certain beliefs in our head, it can also twist and distort those beliefs making into something different than we originally believed. All of us have seen people in our lives that have belief systems that can be view as trully strange from what is considered the norm. People who trully believe their way of life is the only way to live which could be applied to anything in life. They cannot think of anything different or they are not willing to change what they believe.
Many who will be reading this have a interest in combat/self protection. There are numerous philosophies on what will work, what to practice, what will not work. A person gets into one of these systems and faithfully does what the system teaches without question. After some time one finds differences in the system that they are in and confusion starts to set in. Will that person change what they once believed about such system having the truth or ignore it and go on learning it without question. A person truth that has been formed by that system has now been put in question...a dangerous situation. I admit its painful it hurts your ego, as some philosophers would say it hurts "you" that alone can stop one from going forward.
Two more characters say this to Shinji. Thinking about what they say and how it can relate to what is said in the paragraph above.
Kensuke: But there's only one truth that you have,which is formed of the narrowed view of the world,That's revised information to protect yourself,the twisted truth.
Touji: Oh, yes. the view of the world that one can have is quite small.
Then we come to the subject of change. Which can be a delicate subject to many people. All of us have a problem with the word itself. For some of us the problem is big or it can be small. Using the example that we see numerous images while growing up and all through are lives we deal with change on a constant basis. There are beliefs you have as a small child and when you get older you question them. Either those beliefs we change or they will remain the same. You were once part of a subculture then you grow out of it and find it no longer fits what you believe about yourself. The morals or system you live your life by will run into different beliefs that will challenge it and make you rethink about it.
Several characters state things about change, truth, and how it influences others.
Maya: The view angle, the position. If these are slightly different, the things inside the mind will change a lot.
Ryouji: The truths are as many as people.
Asuka: One see things with the truth given by others.
Using the example of combat it has gone under changes itself. if one views the fights of MMA several years ago one will notice changes in it compared to what we see currently. The changes will continue to happen after coaches, fighters, and others view and take apart what they see in hopes to improve a fighters chances. Each person voices their opinions and it influnces and changes others and the process keeps on going. As many others have already brought up the question of , "The person you are now is different than the person several years ago."
This last part probably is the most important when talking about self.
Misato: If you know yourself, you can be kind to others.
Shinji: I hate myself.
But, I might be able to love myself.
I might be allowed to stay here.
Yes. I am nothing but I.
I am I. I wish to be I.
I wish to stay here as do I.
I can stay here as do I!
It has been said by many people the subject of "Knowing oneself". We can have our beliefs but its harder to recognize those beliefs and ourselves change. With all the images we see and the process that we go through we can still find our own unique self and not be under total control of any one belief system. Even though you and i are in a world full of people you exist bringing to the world what makes you a person. It is not a easy process nor will there be anyone that can truly give you straight answers. You and i exist we are here on earth in this process. The quicker one can realize it no matter how they get there one can go on with their own "life".
One last part of the dialogue to think and for you to ponder on......
Asuka: One see things with the truth given by others.
Misato: Happy in the sunny day.
Rei: Gloomy in the rainy day.
Asuka: If taught so are you, you always think so.
Ritsuko: Although You may enjoy rainy days.
Fuyutsuki: Through the different way of conceiving, change into very different thing will the truth, the weak thing.
