Social structures vary in infinite dimensions. As humans strive to dwell within and maintain societies, many feel as though they are set apart, or should remove themselves from an overriding social dominance of order and ideals. These are individuals who have trouble with social norms, customs and mores. Over time they become defiant of society and seek to rid themselves of it. This is the sphere of idealism.
Many proclaimed idealists have existed throughout time. Extreme idealists are often labeled as “too idealistic” or such, but this is more appropriately named as solipsism. These men can be seen as extremely devout to their own personal ideals and values, though bordering on the point of delusion. This is a thin line that all humans can cross if one’s ideals consume the mind.
The story of Timothy Treadwell, though tragic, is a prime example of this phenomena; a man who vowed to live among, study and protect the grizzly bears of Alaska.
Through video documentation and personal stories we can see how not only did Timothy state that he wished to “mutate” into a bear, but also wished to be far and removed from society as well. The longer his mission ran, the more removed he became from himself and from society. He began to dwell within his own mind; enough to the point where his personal safety and survival was no longer a concern. In the end, on his 13th mission to Alaska, he was eaten by a bear.
Some will say that this man lived his dream, and that dying while doing so is not tragic but courageous and righteous. Others look upon this story as that of a man that simply lost himself and died living foolishly. Personally, I have respect for the man in what he was trying to accomplish, but there is a fine line between doing what you think is right, and becoming lost within the self; within personal ideals. It seemed as though at the end of his life, other people began to matter less and less next to the bears that he loved.
In life all beings develop personal ideals, values and a sense of purpose or belonging. Though we must tread carefully in the sphere of idealism, especially when we remove ourselves from society. We must remember that we humans are social creatures by nature. Without the contact of others we can lose ourselves in our own mind. We can forget the heart and soul. We can become our only friend. We no longer have objection, rules or boundaries.
A man may have a “cause” or he may long for being away from other people, rejecting society, becoming a hermit or the like, but in doing so he becomes careless. He then only cares about himself in this frame of thought, no matter his reasoning. He can then easily become delusional; forgetting that human connections do matter; forgetting his spiritual connection.
We should all remember that being in the world is not the same as being of the world. We can live our lives, maintain values and personal ideals while living among one another. We do not have to let the world dictate our ideals, and we shouldn’t blame the world for them.
We can all live together in harmony with our ideals, so long as we view each other with compassion; remember each other, and remember that life doesn’t revolve around the self.
HeartSphere 
“That which is creative and compassionate GROWS. That which is destructive is always deteriorating.”~Edgar Cayce
Precisely!
I love how you think…
Thank you! Best wishes 🙂
Timothy Treadwell achieved his dream to become at least part of a bear.
Cheap shot, but I did laugh a bit 😉
I completely agree…humans are not made to be solitary creatures, and too much solitude can lead to serious internal issues. You can have ideals and hold them, but if to do so you need to distance yourself from mankind, something in your approach is seriously amiss.
Well said! 🙂
Timely thoughts. Thanks. Raw
Thank you sir!
There is unity in diversity when we simply take the time to look around us and accept others in their ‘sphere.’ When we lose ourself to ourself, then yes, there is a problem. Yet when we lose ourselves to the care of others, all of our ‘spheres’ prosper, while achieving unity through our diversity.
Thank you for your inspiration!
II think you nailed the problem of idealists relating to others. The ideals become more important than the people the ideals are meant to help. A tricky balance. Particularly if the idealist has difficulty with personal relationships.
I loved this post. It’s like the anti-post to my current blog article. But I loved it all the same. Thank you for the reminder.
“We should all remember that being in the world is not the same as being of the world.” “human connections do matter” exactly! 🙂 (i liked the whole post…)
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the sphere of idealism and the reminder we humans are social by nature. Thanks! 😉
You often touch and write about things that I have thought about, such as Timothy and the portrayal of him in Grizzly Man. A movie I found touching, intimate and though provoking. Was he a little crazy(whatever that is)? Yes, probably. Certainly in a boundary-less way seen from a more traditional sociological perspective of how people ‘should’ interact. But what I found intriguing was the moments of ectasy that I perceived that he displayed in the movie. Especially since it seemed important to point out that he was not a so-called religious man. Whatever THAT means.
Very interesting post KTS! This would be even more interesting by correlating solipsism with anomie. One’s self completely engulfed in their own sphere of idealism and the anomic fragmentation between their sense of self within the world. Great stimulating post! thanks again 🙂
“We should all remember that being in the world is not the same as being of the world.”–Great line. I think to honour the whole self you need to balance yourself in the physical and spiritual realm. Living by any extreme can lead one to destructive ignorance.
Very true indeed.. Balance is a key 😉
so very interesting. Is this in part a mental illness issue that is treatable? If you know someone held to the actual world by a very tenuous thread, any ways to get them our of their own head? I think people fixate on animals because there is no fear of dissapointment,no expectations and they are willing the give up the beauty of human relationships because they can’t deal with the emotions
I believe you’re correct, though I wouldn’t fixate on an animal that could tear me to shreds with little effort.
a very well planned out blog. i really thought this was excellent writing
Fantastic!
Hi Jeremiah,
It is a pleasure for me to nominate you for The Versatile Blogger Award. Please go to my post of May 6 for more information, and also visit http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com/vba-rules/
I look forward to reading more on your blog.
~ Paul
Applause Applause ! I believe that any time anything even an ideal,, if it becomes excessive then it will ultimately become our idol. It is a prideful idealogy therefore, we cannot really move toward our best within. Your blog is wonderful ! Deborah
A disagreement leads to strife and suffering. A testimony summons the ideal of truth. The Buddha discovered compassion and loving kindness in his isolation, a very real and deep connection. An idea, like the air we breath, only a passing moment. Right view is delusion to the deranged mind.
The Buddha discovered everything along his journey, not in isolation..
Very true…
It is pretty crazy you posted this Saturday, because I felt as though I was placed within a situation where I was forced to question and examine some of the great truths presented in your post. I was visiting a dear friend in Delaware this past weekend and we were in a social situation that very night that became quite unpleasant. I could have easily withdrew from the situation feeling defeated and blaming others or generalizing society as a whole but instead, I separated my self from ego and decided to send love and light to the individuals within the group that needed it the most. I walked away from the situation feeling more apart of this world then I had walking into it, because I chose to see love within those who had trouble seeing it within themselves.
Lovely post 😉
♥ Love and light ♥
Interesting.. As this post came about with my own questioning of the same. I felt as though I could have easily gone to blame the world around me, but I looked deeper and realized a simple truth. There is still yet much to learn. 😉
Absolutely, so much to learn and I love it 🙂 ♥
Very well written and interesting post. Thank you.
I really love conscious writes. This is one of them. I also agree that we are not meant to be alone. Thanks for this.
“Moderation in all things” prove to be some of the wisest words ever written. Deep subject, well addressed.
I’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Although this is relatively new for me, I love blogging and reading the blogs of others and the sharing of what are sometimes very personal thoughts. The type of communication that’s experienced in the blogosphere, and between so many people, makes me feel how truly connected we all are on a higher level. I also know that when someone begins blogging, it’s not to win awards but to share with others. And sometimes it’s therapy for our self. That being said, I find your blog interesting and inspiring and I want to thank you for your contribution. If you choose to accept the award, you’ll find the “instructions” linked here: http://spiritualmysticism.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Love and Light, Rev. Dani Lynn
“We can all live together in harmony with our ideals, so long as we view each other with compassion; remember each other, and remember that life doesn’t revolve around the self.” Very important words as of late!
Nice piece,thanks!
I think you already know, but I’m just going through my list of followers, so…
As one of my followers, I would like to invite you to the dark side…my slightly more intense blog: http://nothobblingnow.wordpress.com/ Hope to see you there!
What this post has done for me is to clearly distinguish between being fanatical and being principled. “Moderation in all things” is certainly a wiser and more effective way to get others to join you in your principled leadership.
Interesting food for thought. I saw the documentary on Timothy Treadwell and saw a man swallowed (no pun intended) up by good thoughts taken to the extreme. It was as if he almost couldn’t relate to humans or the aspect of living as a human with advanced responsibilities and emotional attachments. Thanks for the post.
My pleasure!
Well written post. The Timothy Treadwell tragedy is a great example of your point. I remember watching the documentary on him acouple years ago.
As I watched Treadwell in his efforts I admired his intent and mission but questioned his approach. I think about what I saw in that documentary from time-to-time, and being the sort of individual I am, it stll bothers me to think that his demise proved me right.
Sometimes I wonder about what family Treadwell came from and how they feel about losing him, perhaps especially in that way. If he were my son, I don’t know what I’d do.
Yes, we should all remember that being in the world is not the same as being of the world.
If “All is (in) vibration” and, as Edgar Cayce said: “Vibration is spirit in motion,” then, ideally — free of illusion and logical “reasons” that may hold us back from experiencing — it would appear that: “All is spirit” … What do you think? …
Al
I would have to agree, and I think we are the ones that hold us back through the illusions that we create ourselves.
This is something I needed to be renind of over the last few weeks. Thank you.