Past

The Past is one of the most captivating topics in our personal philosophy. Our relationship with the past can vary widely — we might see it as crucial or trivial, viewing our experiences as burdens or treasures.

To explore the relationships of types, let’s use literature as an analogy — imagine our past as a book. We can take on one of four roles: the Author, the Chronicler, the Critic, or the Reader.

The Author (I. Past in the Target Aspect, Goal)

For the Author, the past is a canvas for self-realization. The question "Who am I?" often evolves into "Who do I want to be?". A person in the Author role views their life like a book they’re writing — they shape their identity based on their personal vision, gathering experiences that might be impractical or risky, but are always intriguing. "My years are my wealth." The Author perceives every life event — conciously or not — not only in practical terms but also through their artistic value. They might dive into an adventure just because it would be a clever plot twist that enhances or makes his 'life journey' more captivating.

The Author sees past events as motives for action and has a keen sense of what needs to be done to complete processes that began. This approach has a downside — the past is extremely demanding of the Author. They often cannot "leave alone" unfinished situations from the past, believing that if a gun is shown in the first act, it will definitely fire. At the same time, the Author’s philosophy generally gives them the confidence that "everything can be fixed" — a new page, a new chance.

The Chronicler (II. Past in the Creative Aspect, Tool)

Unlike the Author, who is deeply involved in shaping their narrative and personal identity, the Chronicler takes a more detached and observational approach. Rather than inventing or personalizing, the Chronicler focuses on recording and reflecting. While the Author sees the past as a space to achieve goals, the Chronicler views it as a tool. The Chronicler’s self-realization occurs outside the scope of the past and the question of "Who am I?"

They don’t shape their own story; instead, they use it. With a keen memory and an ability to connect past events to current situations, especially if they have a First Eternity, the Chronicler sees the past as something natural and unchangeable, yet a great source of world knowledge. They relish discussing and reflecting on the past with others, viewing it as an endless wellspring of information and delight. Rather than being fixated with their own past, they take great pleasure in exploring the stories of others and attentively listening to their experiences.

For the Chronicler, the Past is a tool. They understand their abilities and limitations. It also allows them to effectively use past experiences and connections. They easily revive old relationships and learn from previous successes and failures.

The past for the Chronicler is non-demanding; he doesn’t need to answer the question "Who am I?" or contemplate who he wants to become, nor does he compelled to finish what he started. For him, the past is simply a tool for achieving goals — an essential, cherished tool that he uses frequently and with pleasure, both purposefully and spontaneously.

The Critic (III. Past in the Vulnerable Aspect, Criterion)

For the Critic, the past functions as a judge. It is the benchmark against which they measure whether they are living their life correctly. The question "Who am I?" is a piercing, often painful one that the Critic continuously revisits with each new experience, willingly or not. Pain is the dominant negative emotion tied to the past and is a frequent companion of the Critic. The past rarely provides positive reinforcement; instead, it often acts as a limiting factor, focusing more on what the Critic should "avoid being" rather than "who they are."

Unlike the Author, the Critic cannot choose their ideal identity. They view their story as prewritten and unchangeable, with their role limited to judgment. After making a mistake — no matter how minor — the Critic may dwell on it extensively, regardless of whether it was intentional or accidental, or if there were other options. The act of being judged, even by oneself, is inherently uncomfortable. Consequently, the Critic often tries to detach from their past — avoiding family, severing unnecessary connections without regret, and preferring to forget rather than address unpleasant situations.

Nevertheless, using the past as a criterion can be a powerful tool for the Critic. Few people have such clear guidelines or can retrospectively recognize crucial lessons. While some may overlook these lessons, the Critic cannot ignore significant experiences thanks to their position. When the Critic faces their past and listens to their inner judge, they find a sense of fulfillment and wholeness, which fuels greater energy for personal growth and self-realization.

The Reader (IV. Past in the Blind Aspect, Resource)

To the Reader, the past is a resource, fuel, or currency. They regard it as insignificant, choosing not to ponder questions of "who they are" in favor of focusing their energy on other, more pressing philosophical issues. The Reader neither crafts their own history nor critiques it. Because the Past is so closely tied to self-identity, Readers are often perceived as "dark horses" — you might interact with them for years without fully understanding who they are. The Reader themselves is usually unaware of this.

The Reader finds it challenging to draw on their past experiences, to extract useful experiences, or recognize their own qualities. They seem detached from their past, — it's not their book, and they don't feel responsible for writing new chapters in it. Despite this, they are willing to collaborate with a supportive Author, allowing them to leverage their qualities, skills, and connections. This collaboration can bring their past into clearer focus, as the Reader (whether consciously or not) sacrifices their own past for something greater, and it is important to them that this sacrifice is not in vain.