Who Am I?

Who Am I? Is this question you asked yourself?

When I asked this question to myself at the age of 15, I asked my father - Why I am born? and in reply I got a slap. And the journey of self exploration starts at the age of 15, and it's still going on. I read a quote of Swami Vivekananda - "As you have come into this world, leave some mark behind. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the trees and stones? They too come into existence, decay, and die." This powerful message encourages purpose, self-development, and leaving a lasting legacy through service and positive impact.

In my Journey I found :-

"Who am I?" is a deeply personal, philosophical question with no single answer; it's a journey of self-discovery exploring your values, experiences, and purpose, often revealing we're more than our roles (like actor or parent) but rather the awareness that experiences life, or the unique combination of our habits, beliefs, and aspirations. Our answer evolves as we reflect on what truly defines us, beyond simple labels.

Ways to explore your answer:

1) Look at your identity: Consider your roles (student, friend, child), actions (helping, creating), and inner qualities (kind, ambitious).
2) Examine your purpose: Think about what gives your life meaning – activities, relationships, or spiritual beliefs. Actor James Van Der Beek found being a father was his ultimate role, more fulfilling than acting.
3) Focus on awareness: Some philosophies suggest "I" refers to the underlying consciousness or awareness experiencing thoughts, rather than the thoughts themselves, pointing to a subtler, true self.
4) Reflect on change: Realize that your body and personality (habit patterns) change, so "I" must be something more fundamental, like the observer of these changes.
5) Consider your actions: Ask yourself where your current habits are leading you (financially, health-wise, etc.) and what you want to change to get to a better future.

Ultimately, the answer is a continuous process of introspection, recognizing that we are a unique combination of experiences, choices, and the very awareness that asks the question.

My Reverred Guru Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda told us in his teachings:

1. The Divine Within: He taught that we are spiritual beings, sparks of God, and the goal is to realize this inherent divine nature.
2. Kriya Yoga: A powerful meditation technique to accelerate spiritual evolution and achieve self-realization, focusing on breath and energy.
3. Unity of Religions: Believed all true faiths lead to the same God, emphasizing universal principles over dogma, as seen in his Autobiography of a Yogi.
4. Inner Transformation: Encouraged introspection, replacing negative thoughts with constructive ones, and developing qualities like love, compassion, and wisdom.
5. The "Who Am I?" Inquiry: A core spiritual question, prompting deep self-discovery to transcend the limited ego and experience the eternal Soul.
6. To foster a balanced life of material progress and spiritual fulfillment.
7. To bridge East and West, North to South by demonstrating the scientific basis of yoga and meditation.

This is a very important question for which no School or no College teaches us. It's a Journey of life, as soon as we start finding our inner self we will be able to live a balanced life and can attain all the Jannat, all the Swargs here only in this life only.