The Tyranny of Nouns: Diagnosis and the Illusion of Stagnation

We live in a world obsessed with labels, with categorizing and defining every aspect of our experience. This tendency extends to our understanding of ourselves, where we readily adopt diagnoses and identities as if they were immutable truths. We say, "I am anxious," "I am depressed," or "I have ADHD," as if these labels encapsulate the entirety of our being.

But the reality is far more fluid and dynamic. The human experience is not a collection of static nouns, but a verb, a constant process of becoming. Our thoughts, emotions, and sensations are in a perpetual state of flux, arising and passing away like waves on the ocean.

The English language, with its emphasis on nouns, reinforces this illusion of solidity. We speak of "having" anxiety, as if it were a possession, a burden we carry. But in other languages, such as French or many Asian languages, the expression is more verb-oriented: "I have anger" or "The spirit of anger is moving through me."

This subtle shift in language reflects a profound difference in perspective. When we see our experiences as verbs, as processes rather than possessions, we open ourselves to the possibility of change and transformation. We recognize that our emotions are not fixed entities, but rather transient energies that flow through us.

The problem with diagnoses is that they can create a sense of stagnation. We become identified with the label, believing that it defines who we are and limits our potential for growth. We may even unconsciously play out the diagnosis,reinforcing the very patterns we seek to overcome.

But the truth is, there is no fixed self to be diagnosed, no unchanging essence that defines us. We are a dynamic interplay of energy, constantly evolving and transforming. Our experiences, our thoughts, our emotions are all part of this dance,arising and passing away in the vast expanse of consciousness.

As the Hindus say, it is all "leela," the divine play of the universe. We are not separate from this play, but an integral part of it. We are the universe, experiencing itself through the lens of our individual consciousness.

So, let go of the labels, the diagnoses, the stories you tell yourself about who you are. Embrace the fluidity of your being,the ever-changing dance of energy that is life itself. When you do, you will discover a freedom that transcends all limitations