The qualities that define us, make us Human

Question from the Internet:

“What are the qualities or things that you think define who you are, the human figure representing you?”

The more we study living systems, the more we understand how we evolved into a globally integrated, and fully interdependent world, the more we start to understand that what truly defines us is not the personal, individual qualities, abilities, talents in us, but how we use everything we have towards the inevitable mutual connections, cooperation with others.

I can have the best personal qualities, extraordinary talents in the world, but if I continue using them selfishly, only for my own benefit, especially at the expense of others — as we act according to our inherently egocentric, subjective, individualistic program — I remain harmful, destructive from the viewpoint of the integral system we exist in.

But if I learn to use my abilities, capabilities — whatever they are — for the wellbeing, most optimal state of others, the best possible development of the whole system, I become good, benevolent.

Moreover, since we exist in a Natural system that is based on mutual integration, mutual cooperation in order to maintain the balance and homeostasis life and optimal development depends on, those who act similarly to Nature receive a “boost”, reinforcement from Nature’s forces and progress from strength to strength.

As our global integration continues — as obligated by Nature’s laws and evolution’s relentless flow — we will feel this more and more. We will also understand that “being Human” actually means a conscious being, that purposefully, methodically becomes similar to Nature’s integral template above and against one’s inherently closed-in, subjective, egocentric, and individualistic instincts.