“The Faces of the Self” is a pseudo-introspective book that explores deep themes related to loneliness, diversity of thought, emotional indifference, sacred love and profane love. The protagonist of this story stands out from the crowd, preferring solitude as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern society. He feels drawn to the quiet and tranquility of his individual life, finding in it a source of inspiration and “authenticity.” Through the narrative, the mechanisms of society that pushes individuals to conform to a single thought, to conform to predefined rules, making it difficult for different ideas and visions to emerge, are highlighted. The protagonist feels alienated from this context, taking refuge in his diversity, his unique approach to life. One of the themes addressed in the book is the anaffectivity and emotional detachment an individual may feel toward others. Sacred love and profane love are explored. Sacred love, which is a pure and spiritual feeling that can overcome material barriers and unite souls in deep connection. On the other hand, the more earthly and carnal profane love is subject to physical desires and passions controlled by the senses. The protagonist’s solitude allows him to explore both facets of love without being subjected to outside influences or compromising his individuality. Through incisive and reflective writing, “The Faces of the Self” invites readers to reflect on their relationship with the outside world and their inner authenticity. It explores the importance of embracing one’s diversity of thought and seeking one’s happiness in personal choices, away from the conditioning of contemporary society.
| Version | Paper ITA, Paper EN, ePub ITA, ePub EN, Audiobook ITA, Audiobook EN, PDF |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 94 |
| Editor | EDIZIONI LAURITA SRLS |
| Publication | Ottobre 2023 |
In a chaotic and hectic world, where virtual connections seem to overpower real ones, where the fear of being alone surfaces in the folds of the human soul, it is time to explore the deep labyrinth of loneliness. Loneliness may seem an eternal companion, covering the days with its gray veil and creeping into the soul like a cold autumn breeze. But it is not just a sad condition, it is a place of reflection and self-discovery, where the mind gets lost in the meanderings of the soul and the soul itself is shaken and reduced to its purest form. It is there that the individual has a way to plumb its depths, to face and overcome its darkest fears, to heal the wounds of existence and to be reborn stronger and more aware. In the apathetic loneliness of modern times, one feeds on a kind of willed abnormality, where the line between what is considered normal and what is not becomes increasingly blurred. Yet what seem like abnormalities can actually be spaces where authenticity and creativity flourish. In the face of the crowd obeying the banal dictate of normality, the abnormal individual faces the fear of being himself, trying to chart a different path away from mediocrity. And in this abnormality, flowers of anaffectivity open up, emotional distances that separate men from other men, from common experiences, from deep bonds. But perhaps, in facing the fragmented reality of emotions, anaffectivity may actually prove to be a realm of introspection, a path toward the discovery of a purer and more sincere love. And so, in the abyss of total loneliness, there exists a sacred, sublime, immortal love. A love that goes beyond worldly conventions, that is nourished by faith in a higher energy, that rises above the ordinary to find meaning and purpose in one’s existence. It is a love that transcends time, far from earthly passions, where the essence of the human being seeks to intertwine with something divine. But if there is a sacred love, there is also a profane love. That which, like summer wind on the skin, shakes the soul and makes the heart burn. A love that does not bend to the rules imposed by society, that breaks the chains of conventions and restrictions. A free, wild love that ignores obligations and throws itself into a mad rush toward the pleasure and ecstasy of earthly passion. These two loves, the one sacred and the other profane, coexist in a fragile balance, in a relentless struggle between the eternal and the transitory, between that which endures into infinity and that which fades in the course of time. Yet, in the end, perhaps they can merge together, creating a unique union that transcends all patterns and gives meaning to life. Thus, in the vast space of solitude, where abnormalities are revealed as precious treasures, where anaffectivity becomes a form of self-discipline, and sacred love is intertwined with profane love, human beings find their true essence and discover that it is in the deepest solitude that the key to rebirth and profound soul fulfillment lies. And so, while the world continues to dance to the frenetic rhythm of superficial connections, the individual who embraces his solitude rises above it all, like a shining beacon guiding others through the dark paths of life. Solitude is, therefore, a necessary journey to discover one’s self, to find wisdom and joy in complete autonomy, and then to return to life with a new awareness, ready to love and be loved authentically and deeply.
