It seems like a simple enough question, who am I? Many would respond, I’m “so and so”, I come from “somewhere”, I’m “this nationality”, and “this religion”, my work is “this” and so on. Depending on the individual, any one of these could be their primary identity. I’m here to tell you that identifications such as these are the source of most of the problems in your life. These are qualities that the ego identifies with. Sometimes we use them to bond with others in the same group but more often it’s a way of separating ourselves from others and making our self either superior or inferior. The ego likes to either make itself superior or inferior to others. This reinforces separation and reinforces individuality.
The majority of masters who have walked the Earth have taught that we are One. We are a part of all that includes other people, nature, even the Earth itself. Most indigenous cultures have taught the same. This then brings us to concept of what our true nature is. The great spiritual teachings found in the ancient Hindu text, “The Bhagavad-Gita” talks about the nature of the Soul or Spirit. It reminds us that it is eternal, it cannot be injured or destroyed, it’s all pervading, and unchangeable. This IS who we are. We are Spirit. Spirit that at this moment is having a Human experience but none the less Spirit.
So which “I Am” do you identify with? The first one, I am my name, my nationality and so on, this creates a you that is vulnerable and separate from all that is. You are in competition for resources, mates, and everything else that we believe we need and want. It is this identification on a personal and National level that has created ALL of the disharmony in the world. It has been the cause of every war that ever took place and every personal conflict.
Identification with the second one, I am Spirit, I am eternal, I cannot be injured or destroyed, this creates a You that need not worry about anything. We need not desire or fear anything. We are free to do what the great masters teach and that is to Love everyone even those that don’t feel the same about us. There is a paradox that occurs when we stop our fear of anything, including fear of “not enough”, not enough money, not enough good health, not enough love. The paradox is that when we stop worrying about not having these things, they somehow start to show up in our life. The attractive laws of the Universe can allow them to show up once we stop focusing on their lack.
Our identity is a choice, who do you want to be? If your answer is, I want to identify with who I truly am and that is Spirit, then begin now. The fact is, Spirit is your True nature and even if you identify with the ego, eventually, no matter how much you deny it, your True identity will reveal itself. You can resist it and it may not be revealed until you leave this body, or you can choose it now and enjoy the physical, emotional, and spiritual rewards that come with that realization.
