Just before heading back to work after the Holidays, I decided to do a little more tattoo work on my arm. On both parts of my tattoo, it is very interesting to me to see peoples different reactions. The designs and meaning that I have chosen leave people with a puzzled look on their face. Some people have the guts to ask me what it all means, but others just nod with that puzzled look and pretend that they know.
Any of you religious people would probably recognize the phrase "I am that I am" from the Bible in the Old Testament. When Moses was talking to God on the top of a mountain, Moses asked God what his name is. God replied "I am that I am". Now I know that this will puzzle a lot of you that actually know me and know that I am atheist. I have already been asked the question "you don't believe in God, why would you get a religious phrase tattooed on you?" Even my daughter asked me that question.
For me this phrase is not a religious one, it is more philosophical. As human beings trying to understand the meaning of life and the world around us, the only thing that we really know for sure is that "I am". Everything else is just a matter of perception. I could be asleep right now and dreaming up all of the events of my life, every person around me could just be a manifestation of that dream, and so the only thing that truly exists in this dream is the fact that "I am" perceiving it as my own world.
I have always questioned the why, what, where, and how of life. If not God, then where did we come from? Why now, and what is the real purpose? I have never found a solid answer to this, but no matter what the answer may be. If it should be God, Evolution, Aliens, or whatever you may believe. This one and only fact remains: I AM!
I found that really interesting and I like your concept. I have heard that tattooing is a very personal and intimate thing. I know if I ever got one it would have to have deep and significant meaning to me. Love your blog, Kristian.
ReplyDelete