We all live with a sense of Identity. In our mind this defines who we are. But how often have we taken a step back and reflected on what shapes our identity.

We identify with our thoughts, soon forming strong opinions and points of views. And when someone challenges our thinking, we get disturbed and take it as a personal attack. We find it difficult to detach ourselves from our thinking. But our thoughts “belong” to us just as our phone belongs to us. When we reflect and realise this, we realise we are not our thoughts.

We identify with our possessions. The world of objects being transient, we go through bouts of elations and deep sorrow on gaining and losing. But our possessions “belong” to us, they are not us. It may be my phone, but I am not the phone. And if the phone gets lost, I don’t lose my identity. We are not our possessions.

We identify with our caste, community, religion, nationality. We carry deep respect and strong emotional ties as we should. It helps us work for a higher purpose. But these are like wearing a uniform. If a soldier changes his uniform, does he cease to be a soldier. If I migrate, I may get a new passport, but have I stopped being who I am. We are not the uniform we wear.

Our thoughts, possessions and uniforms are important but yet we are neither of them. They all belong to us. So what is our real identity.

In essence we are the Consciousness that is the Consciousness everywhere. When we discover the Love, Wisdom and Joy within and in deep silence connect with the Higher, we have realised our true Self.

And then we carry our thoughts, possessions and uniforms with the ease and dynamism, as one on stage playing his roles, changing his costumes, delivering tough dialogues, enjoying the twists and turns of the script, but never forgetting his true Identity.