Who Are You? by Arielle Essex
repetitive thought motorways. Hence the sense of self rests precariously on unverified data input. This explains why people often feel so threatened by change, and why they overreact when defending what they confuse with their identity. Any criticism, any unexpected loss, a sudden heart attack or a scary diagnosis jolts their perception of reality like a crash on the motorway.
Sometimes the jolts of life cause people to wake up and question the meaning of life. They begin to re-evaluate what’s important. Who is the sense of self that has these feelings, thoughts, desires and memories? Who is actually experiencing these events? Author Peter Russell, says that looking for the self is rather like going into a dark room with a flashlight, and then shining it around to try to find the source of the light. All you see are the various objects that the light reveals. The same thing happens when you try to find what creates the experience of consciousness. All you find are the ideas, images, thoughts and feelings that your attention lights upon. The true sense of self cannot be seen because what is doing the experiencing IS the ‘I am’. Confusion between this true self who experiences consciousness and the everyday identity seems to create a puzzling paradox. If you become aware of your true self, does that negate the needs, wants, desires and objectives of your everyday identity self? Which one of them is real? Which one should you listen to and follow?
So begins a spiritual quest: to know who you are and to liberate yourself, whilst living in the world without being seduced by what merely appears to be real but isn’t. Since the beginning of time, different cultures have grappled with this concept and attempted to describe and explain the true self as being outside the body, higher and above. When people look up, they equate higher as being more important and more spiritual. However, this common practice may have led to an erroneous conclusion that the spiritual self is somehow separate, distant, outside of the body and being invisible, also less real. Since that seems difficult and unobtainable, it’s easy for the mind to distract you back into daily affairs and getting those needs met. Especially when the senses relay constant messages about pain, hunger and the solidity of very real seeming matter.
Our perceiving self is nowhere to be found within the world-picture, because it itself is the world-picture.
- Erwin Schrodinger, physicist and Nobel Prize winner
Living in these turbulent times, most people find all their time and energy gets used up just trying to keep up with day to day demands. But if you stop and re-consider how old ways of thinking don’t seem to work anymore, it could save time and generate better solutions. Clinging to what feels safe only leads to repetition of past failures. Instead, open your mind to knowing your true self and live your life like a Bodhisattva. The Buddhists say bodhisattvas are such compassionate, enlightened beings, that they have committed to serve as beacons of light. They hold open the doors of hell to guide seekers towards higher consciousness. Bodhisattvas rescue those who are confused and can even pull people out of hell whilst remaining unscathed. Often the first person that needs to be saved is yourself. In order to do this, a bodhisattva must remain serene in the face of all temptations, tragedies, terrors and tantrums. Nothing ruffles their enlightened immunity to the misery and monotony of modern life. They stay centered and focused on their chosen path, holding fast their connection to the true self, the light within.
People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.
- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Psychiatrist
Such a tall order may initially seem too high, irrelevant and unnecessary for day-to-day life. It’s a choice. Whatever you choose reveals who you think you are. Remember you cannot change what you are not aware of. You cannot achieve objectives if you’re obsessively attached to the outcome. You cannot let go of what you’re fiercely holding onto. You cannot reach inner serenity until you re-connect with your true inner self. As soon as you connect with your inner light, peace reigns, everything makes sense, conflicts cease, problems evaporate and healing occurs. Notice the only difference between think and thank is one letter. Just choose to have thoughts of gratitude for everything, trusting that whatever doesn’t look so bright at the moment, sooner or later will be revealed as a blessing. Keep smiling!
© Arielle Essex
Arielle works as a specialist healer, coach and trainer combining practical psychology, naturopathy, NLP, hypnosis, non-verbal intelligence, & emotional intelligence into her own unique ‘Practical Miracles’ coaching approach, as well as being a certified NES practitioner. Please contact:
arielle@practicalmiracles.com
www.choicepointmagazine.com
CHOICE POINT MAGAZINE 33
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