The purpose of this study was to classify the subjective contents of ego-experiences and to understand how they were processed in the mind. University students (
N=25) participated in individual semi-structured interviews about their ego-experiences. Analysis of the interviews showed that the subjective contents were classified into four categories: questions concerning the axis of time or space, sense of incongruity with oneself, skepticism toward real existence of the self or others, and awareness of original uniqueness of the self. Also, how the interviewees treated their ego-experiences in their mind was classified into four: accepting and reorganizing personal history, assimilating, trying to ascertain the meaning, and disowning. Specifically, it was observed that those who accepted their ego-experiences and reorganized personal history established their new self, while those who disowned theirs tried to maintain the style of their old self. Moreover, the case studies suggested that ego-experience could become a turning point for establishing a new self; in other words,
the second I lives as
I who live here and now, and it may paradoxically destroy or support
I who live here and now depending on how it is treated.
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