The question ‘Who am I?’ has intrigued mankind since the birth of our consciousness. I remember the first time I asked myself ‘Who am I?’ I think I was about nine or 10 years old. This query embarked me on a journey of self-discovery and investigation into religion and spirituality, my connection to nature, my place in the universe, and what was going on in my own mind and body.
I am obviously still on this journey with many unanswered questions and distractions, but I have some theories that have brought me some peace over the years. I think we seek this question of self-discovery as an intrinsic longing and drive for (re)connection and belonging.
We do many things to fulfil our individual needs for self-identity. When we choose to find our identity through the eyes of others, we may compete using money and acquisitions, success, education and knowledge, beauty, power and control, popularity, physical ability, and sports…etc. In this way, we answer the question of ‘Who am I?’ with the answer ‘I prove myself to others by…’ or ‘I need to be better than others through…’
Even though competition is a normal part of human culture, I don’t feel it should be the focus that drives us in our personal self-discovery work, as it can be a great distraction. Also, the competitive drive for validation will only fulfil our longing for identity for so long, as we eventually lose our edge and fall off our own pedestal. Who are we then?
The humbling of mankind happens when we stop viewing our own identity through what others may think (or what we think they think). When we are humbled by our inability to compete anymore, we can become angry and bitter or we can let it go and look for another identity. We see this in older age: people either soften to each other (mellowing with age) or get angry, frustrated or resentful at their own inability to compete anymore.
Know thyself is a deep concept and drives my own personal journey in my quest to reconnect with my soul and others on this journey of being human. My interpretation of know thyself is to understand the concept of the trilogy body, mind and spirit.
I want to know my body and understand what it is telling me — how to optimally survive in my human physical existence. Am I listening to my body and honouring what it tells me? (Inflammation is how our body says ‘No’ and can take many forms). I have written many articles on physical health, inflammation, and the nutritional component to being healthy. What do I need to do (or stop doing) in order to be healthy in this temporary human vehicle?
Can I be courageous enough to know my mind and understand the duality of my thinking, while making friends with my egoic mind (rather than resisting it) in the process? In this way, I can make sense of my attachments, my addictions, my judgments, my resistance, my suffering… but also embrace the power of my beautiful mind to create and manifest, connect to gratitude, be present, and to choose the energy of love to guide me in this journey. This intention to understand the complexities of our minds often involves some healing.
Which leads me to spirit. As we navigate this dualistic experience in our human bodies and minds, connecting to spirit can move us out of the unhealthy chaos in our minds and into the centre of our being. I feel the centre of my being (my soul within) at the top of my breath and I use my breath when I have the intention to connect spiritually. I often connect with gratitude in my focused breathing, while sending love on my exhaled breath to wherever it may be needed in the form of a prayer for the suffering of humanity.
Sometimes my prayer is directed towards an individual or group or situation, or the earth, and sometimes I just send this loving intention for healing to the ether and trust it will land where it is needed. If needed, I send a prayer of love and healing to the trauma from my childhood. This seems to soften my attachment to that which caused my suffering. Finding a meditative practice using one’s breath can be very healing to the mind and body, and help facilitate a beautiful spiritual connection.
The Latin word for spirit is spīritus, which literally means breath. Most religions use breathwork to access a spiritual connection to their definition of source or creation. During our time as being human, our breath is our life force, and we live our lives one present breath at a time.
There are many definitions of creator depending on what spiritual practice one aligns with, but the word religion literally means reconnection, and I feel that having a discerning and loving practice of reconnection is the reason for our individual spiritual beliefs and practices.
(“There are many paths to enlightenment — be sure to take the one with a loving heart." Lau Tzu)
As we come to know ourselves in body, mind and spirit, we have the opportunity to settle into an acceptance of who we really are and let go of resistance and misconceptions that cause anxiety (fear) and the lack of presence. To know thyself is an idea that has been contemplated since man has had a thinking mind. It drives each of our individual journeys and the paths of our lives.
Author's note: I tend to avoid publishing articles on spirituality, as they are my own personal opinions and I don’t want to ruffle too many feathers but felt compelled to share my interpretation of the connection of body, mind and spirit in our quest to learn who we are. Everyone may have their own perception, understanding and reconnection practice — so to each his/her/their own. I dedicate this article to all those with seeking minds. May we be blessed on our individual paths.
Claire Nielsen is a health coach, author, public speaker and founder of www.elixirforlife.ca. The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional health and medical advice. Please consult a doctor, health-care provider or mental health practitioner if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses and/or treatment.
