Sadhguru says You say my body, then the body is not you. Discovering who you are is the essence of existence. The self is not the body, mind, or intellect; it is the silent witness behind them all.
Article | Bakreshwar | June 25, 2016
Sadhguru: Human existence has always been a profound mystery. We traverse life accumulating knowledge, building relationships, and creating identities, yet a fundamental question persists—Who am I? This question, simple yet profound, has echoed through the ages, inspiring seekers, saints, and sages to dive deep into the inner realms of consciousness.
"You say my body, then the body is not you. Have you ever wondered who I am? You say my mind, then the mind is not you. Then who am I?" This inquiry dismantles the familiar and challenges our perceptions. Unravelling this mystery's layers is not merely an intellectual exercise but the essence of all spiritual paths. Let us explore this existential question and its implications in Sadhana (spiritual practice).
To know yourself, you must first unlearn all that you are not.
The Illusion of Ownership
When we refer to "my body," we unconsciously separate ourselves from the body. If it is mine, it cannot be me. Similarly, when we speak of "my mind" or "my intellect," we implicitly state that these, too, are possessions, not the essence of our being.
The Body: A Temporary Vehicle: The human body is a masterpiece of nature. It is born, grows, ages, and eventually dissolves back into the elements. We spend much of our lives identifying with this physical form, tending to it, and adorning it. Yet, we instinctively know that we are more than this perishable vessel. The body is a tool, a vehicle through which we experience life. But if the body is merely an instrument, who is the one wielding it?
The Mind: A Fickle Companion: The mind, like a flowing river, is constantly in motion—thoughts, emotions, memories, and fantasies arise and subside. We say, "My mind is restless" or "My mind is at peace," as though observing it from a distance. This observer is distinct from the mind, for it perceives the mind’s movements without becoming them. If we are not the body nor the mind, then who is this witness?
The Intellect: A Calculative Tool: The intellect provides logic and discernment, shaping our judgments and decisions. Yet even this higher function of the mind is external to our true self. We can step back and analyze the workings of our intellect, proving its separateness. Who, then, is the one capable of such introspection?
Your body and mind are tools; the true you are the one who wields them.
The Stream of All Sadhanas
All spiritual practices, irrespective of tradition or method, ultimately aim to answer the question, "Who am I?" The process of uncovering this truth involves peeling away layers of false identification and delving into the essence of our being.
The Path of Self-Inquiry: Self-inquiry, as emphasized by sages like Ramana Maharshi, is a direct approach to this question. By persistently asking, "Who am I?" one shifts attention inward, cutting through the distractions of the mind. Each answer that arises—"I am the body," "I am the mind," "I am my thoughts"—is scrutinized and dismissed until only pure awareness remains.
The Role of Meditation: Meditation quiets the noise of the external world and the mind, creating a space for the self to reveal itself. By observing thoughts, emotions, and sensations without attachment, one begins to see their transient nature. The meditator discovers that they are not the waves of experience but the vast ocean of consciousness beneath.
The Way of Devotion: Devotional practices dissolve the ego through surrender. In dedicating every thought, word, and action to the divine, the seeker transcends personal identity. The "I" merges with the divine presence, revealing the universal self.
The Discipline of Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga, or the path of selfless action, teaches detachment from the fruits of one’s labour. By acting without the sense of doership, the practitioner realizes that the "I" who claims ownership of actions is not the true self. The body and mind perform their duties, but the self remains untouched.
The Wisdom of Jnana Yoga: Jnana Yoga employs knowledge and discrimination to discern the real from the unreal. The seeker uses intellect to understand that the body, mind, and world are impermanent and illusory. Through constant contemplation of the self, the ultimate truth is revealed.
The journey inward begins with the question, Who am I?
The Observer and the Observed
A critical breakthrough in the quest for self-realization occurs when one recognizes the distinction between the observer and the observed.
The body is observed: We can see its form, feel its sensations, and notice its limitations.
The mind is observed: Thoughts and emotions arise, but we can witness them as separate from ourselves.
The intellect is observed: We can evaluate its reasoning and judgments, yet remain untouched by them.
Who, then, is this observer? This witness, this unchanging awareness, is the essence of who we are.
Experiencing the "I Am"
The realization of the self is not an intellectual understanding but an experiential knowing. It is a state of being where all identifications fall away, leaving only the pure awareness of existence. This state, often referred to as "I Am," is the source from which all creation emanates.
Not the Body: The body is subject to birth and death, while the self is eternal.
Not the Mind: The mind fluctuates, but the self remains steady.
Not the Intellect: The intellect is a tool, but the self is the user.
When we rest in the awareness of "I Am," we touch the infinite, beyond name and form.
In saying my mind, you affirm that you are more than your thoughts
The Journey and the Destination
The quest to know "Who am I?" is both the journey and the destination. It begins with the curiosity to explore our nature and ends with the profound realization that we are not separate from the cosmos. This journey dismantles the ego, dissolves attachments, and unveils the truth that the self is pure consciousness—eternal, infinite, and blissful.
The Role of Sadhana: Each path of Sadhana offers unique tools and insights. Whether through devotion, inquiry, meditation, or action, the aim is the same: to transcend the illusion of separateness and realize the oneness of all existence.
Living the Realization: Realizing the self transforms the way we live. The world no longer appears as "me" and "other" but as a unified field of consciousness. Actions become spontaneous, arising from a place of joy and compassion rather than fear and desire.
The End of the Search
The ultimate realization is that the seeker, the search, and the sought are one. The question "Who am I?" dissolves, leaving only the silent truth of being. This truth is not something to be achieved or attained; it is our natural state, obscured only by ignorance.
To know "Who am I?" is to know the essence of existence itself. It is the stream that flows through all paths of Sadhana, guiding us back to the source from which we came. In this realization, life becomes a celebration of the infinite within the finite, the eternal within the transient, and the universal within the individual.
