RETURN TO THE ESSENCE: THE PROCESS OF INNER AWAKENING FROM PHENOMENON TO TRUTH

Summary

This article examines how individuals recognize their essence (the self) through phenomena and the reasons for delayed awakening to self-consciousness. Although humans are inherently derived from the self, they seek their value and meaning in external mechanisms of validation from an early age. This leads to the voice of the self fading into the background on the inner plane, and phenomena being mistakenly perceived as truth. The study argues that the self reveals itself through phenomena, but this disclosure is related to the level of consciousness, orientation, and capacity for awareness. The article demonstrates that phenomena are reflective structures and that, through a shift in the direction of an individual's consciousness, they can open the door to truth.

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Entrance

The human existential adventure is a historical and ontological continuation of the quest for self-knowledge. The principle of "Know thyself" (gnothi seauton), which has been central to philosophy since ancient times, indicates that humans must seek truth within their own essence, not externally. Despite this, individuals often pursue their search for truth among phenomena, that is, in the external world. This leads to a delayed self-disclosure of the essence.

This study seeks to answer the following fundamental question:

If man is the essence, why is he often late in realizing the value of his essence?

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1.⁠ ⁠Conceptual Framework

1.1. Essence (Core-existence)

Essence is the fundamental dimension of reality that is unchanging, enduring, and independent of phenomena. Ibn Arabi refers to this dimension as "aynu'l-haqiqa," while Kant refers to it with the concept of the "thing-in-itself" (Ding an sich), which lies behind experience.

1.2. Phenomenon

A phenomenon is the manifestation of essence in the realm of consciousness. A phenomenon is not truth; it is a reflection, a sign, and a language of truth. In this sense, a phenomenon requires a connection to essence to achieve meaning.

1.3. Consciousness and Orientation

Consciousness is the internal functioning that recognizes phenomena and relates them to the self.

When consciousness is directed outward, it perceives the phenomenon as an object.

When consciousness turns inward, the phenomenon becomes a mirror of the essence.

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2.⁠ ⁠The Reason Why the Value of the Essence Is Realized Late

In human social and cultural processes, generally:

• It establishes its value based on the approval of the outside world,

• Develops knowledge dependent on experienced phenomena,

• Defines itself through sensory appearances.

This situation prevents the self from realizing its own intrinsic value field.

In other words:

An individual does not tend to know the inner world without knowing the outer world; however, as the outer world becomes more informed, turning inward becomes inevitable.

This is a delayed but necessary awakening in the human life cycle.

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3.⁠ ⁠The Role of Phenomena as the Language of the Essence

Tree, dog, stone, sound, road, building, human relations…

All phenomena are the means by which the essence attempts to make itself known to consciousness.

• Phenomena create meaning,

• Meaning creates awareness,

• Awareness enables the essence to see itself within itself.

Therefore:

Phenomenon = The way the essence speaks

The diversity of phenomena does not hide the essential unity, but rather produces ways of revealing the unity.

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4.⁠ ⁠Inner Awakening

The individual's return to his essence is not a rupture, but a remembrance.

This awakening is not about age; it is about a shift in consciousness.

• Consciousness that looks outward → Sees the appearance.

• Consciousness that looks inward → Sees the Truth.

At this point, the critical threshold represents the individual's realization that:

"My essence carries the knowledge of every phenomenon. Therefore, even if the phenomena change, the essence remains the same."

When this realization occurs, the universe as a whole turns into a text that explains itself.

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Conclusion

Although humans are derived from essence, they often realize knowledge of essence only later in life. This is because the orientation of consciousness remains fixed on external phenomena for a long time. However, when internal orientation occurs, phenomena become a mirror of essence, and the individual begins to recognize their own truth. Thus, it becomes clear that the greatest investment is the investment in one's own truth.

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Source

• Aristotle. Metaphysics.

• Kant, I. Critique of Pure Reason.

• Ibn Arabi. Conquests of Mecca.

• Heidegger, M. Being and Time.

• Turut, M. (2025). Personal Philosophical Notes, Edirne.