Have you ever swum deep in the sea, holding your breath as much as you can? If so, you are familiar with the frantic feeling to breathe, forcing you to resurface like a submarine. Simply said, if there is no breath, there is no life! As we devote every second of our existence to breathing, we are all devotees of amazing proportions when it comes to the breath! Without oxygen, we can only sustain life for a few minutes, while trained divers can survive for up to 15 minutes.

Being aerobic in nature, we must breathe.  Oxygen is vital to release energy into our cells, without which, they cannot release energy from the food we eat. Our bio-system, therefore, is quite fragile, for it depends not only on our continuous breathing to replenish the oxygen, but our regular intake of water and food for our energy. Life ceases to exist literally after several days without water, and a month or so without food. The trio of breathing, drinking, and eating is essential for the sustenance of life.  It is the ‘Tier One’ activity, which all human beings pursue relentlessly to remain alive.  

Air is indeed free; it’s something that we simply breathe in. Water and food, on the other hand, are resources, which can only be acquired through the exchange of wealth. Such wealth grants us shelter, clothing and transportation – dimensions of life that constitute our ‘Tier 2’ level of sustenance.  We engage in work or business enterprise, to generate the wealth we need to survive.   

Human beings can survive on very little, but for a better social status that generates more wealth, fame, and power, we pursue an even higher tier of existence – we may call this, ‘Tier 3’. Some people become so engrossed in this endeavour, that they begin to view wealth, fame, and power as if they were air, water, and food!  Such a pursuit of wealth, power and fame is primarily for reasons of control.  The greater our Tier 3 resource, the more choice, privilege and influence we have.  This level of control tends to create even more wealth, power, and fame, and so the cycle perpetuates.  We then enact our lives at the even higher level of sustenance – ‘Tier X’.  

Advancing through these manifold tiers of sustenance is a huge ego builder. Ego, that superficially elevates us above the many, creates self-importance, allowing us to justify the exploitation of others. When we view others as less than our selves, the ease of writing off humanity becomes second nature.

Why is humanity so devoted to the creation, as opposed to the Creator? This is probably because our physical existence depends on it. We all attach ourselves, however wealthy or otherwise, to the creation or earth which keeps on giving. The wealth that God has packed into this planet is more than we will ever know. Some say it is limited and unable to sustain the billions, but I believe it can sustain billions more! Greed has imbalanced God’s blessings to humanity. What one person has been gifted by God, is simply not shared with others.

Why not devote our existence to God – God who has surely devoted Himself to us. Some say God has abandoned humanity, but in actual fact it is humanity who has abandoned God. Many live solely for themselves, taking advantage of others, even killing if it serves their purpose. When the social order polarises people into have and have-nots, those surviving on lower tiers of existence have shorter life spans and poorer health outcomes. Having gotten so far off course, we wonder how and where we took the wrong turn, off the highway of humanity.  

Devotion to God is actually devotion to a special, peaceful way of life – i.e. the ultimate blissful existence. God created a universe that operates on disciplined protocols on the basis of which the human race has developed scientifically and technologically.  God, who desires us to live blissfully, also allows us the benefit of free will, the choice between right and wrong, good and evil.  We can live in chaos or in harmony.  We can live in hate and heartache, or in love and serenity. If we choose wisely, we can be co-creators of the most exuberant existence – not just individually, but as a collective.

Devotion to the Creator (God), instead of creation, brings us into alignment with the Divine. But it is always an introduction to God, by an enlightened soul, that allows us to strike up a real relationship with Him. When this relationship blossoms, oneness with God takes place as a matter of routine.

When we come to know God at that level, the physical creation is assigned only the priority it deserves, not more.  We no longer confuse our survival needs with the pursuit of greater status, prestige, and power. We service our material needs, rather than living in servitude towards them. After all, it is the Creator God who gives rise to creation. As all things emanate from God, those who have a symbiotic relationship with Him, discover they already have what they need, and are secure in the understanding that their future needs will also be taken care of. Contrarily, if our relationship goal with God is based on the acquisition of wealth, power, and status, it is not a true or sincere relationship.  Those devoted to God live contentedly – if they have more resources, they live thankfully and share freely.  If they have less, they remain faithful to God in the knowledge He will provide for their needs.  With God, we enjoy a special kind of wealth which is not of this world.     

Surrender or devotion to God’s way of living must be genuine. As children, we sometimes put our parents’ shoes on. Although we walked around the house, imitating mom or dad, we were never stable; we would trip and fall down, wearing such oversized shoes. This is the learning process of the human child, through imitating the parents. As we trip and fall, walking in His footsteps, God also catches and protects us. Such a process amounts to emulating God Himself, who fills us with compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, and humility. We find our way back to the humanity we had lost.

Just as we are devoted to Him, God is also devoted to us, though such devotion is incomprehensible! When parents responsibly take care of their child, they do whatever it takes to protect and teach the child, so that they may succeed in life. Parents watch from afar as the child grows, in order not to encroach upon their life. God also watches from a sublime state, ensuring our eternal care.

God created the universe for us! Someday, we will leave this child’s sandbox called earth to reach for the stars – i.e. fulfilling our destiny. This blessing, however, can only take place through our total devotion and surrender.

                                                                                      – Daniel J. Slebodnik, Washington D.C., U S A

(The All-Embracing Perspective)

During the global shutdown at the start of the pandemic in 2020, our family tried our first 1,000-piece puzzle. It took a couple of weeks, some concentration and a lot of patience. When it was complete, I couldn’t shake off this thought:

What if every religious faith or spiritual belief was a piece of a larger puzzle? If some of the pieces believed they were different from the other pieces, perhaps thinking they were the only right piece and refused to connect with the other pieces, the puzzle would never be complete. What a sad thought!

And what if the pieces represent the ultimate puzzle, humanity?

Imagine if all the pieces, however different they might be, came together and allowed themselves to fit perfectly. Wow! To me, that would look like human unity and peace on earth.

But there’s a catch here. The puzzle pieces wouldn’t be able to come together until they first realized they were part of the same puzzle. And how can human beings come together unless and until we first realize that we are all one, part of the same Super Soul, and extensions of one another?

We often hear in the Sant Nirankari Mission that ‘religion unites; it never divides’. It may sound contradictory given that we see so many fights and wars in the name of religion. This is where God-realization or Gyan gifts us the vision to see the thread of divinity that connects us all.

In Sikhism, there is a sacred prayer that starts like this:

“Ik Onkar, Sat Nam, Karta Purakh…”

(There is but one God, Eternal Truth is his name, He is the Creative Spirit…)

This line emphasizes the importance in the belief that we are all children of the same one God, which means inherently there exists a oneness in all living beings. When we realize and accept this truth, who can we fight without seeing divinity in them first? Self-realization through God-realization or Gyan eradicates so many man-made conflicts. What is left is peace.

In the Bible, it is written:

Do you not know that you are God’s temple
and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
                                      ~ 1 Corinthians 3:16

What a beautiful reminder – the divine spirit of love and peace resides in each one of us. God is in each of us, making us equal beings. When we imbibe this knowledge, not only would we do our best not to hurt anyone, this all-embracing perspective would also call us to lift everyone up.

For example, a teacher, on noticing that a student in 6^th grade cannot read, write sentences or produce a simple paragraph, has a choice. He could opt to ignore the issue, letting the student pass on to the next grade, and thereby turning the problem over to someone else. However, the teacher could also choose to do his or her best to help the student, making sure he works to improve the omissions teachers made previously. When we live in awareness of God all around us, there are no strangers and we take responsibility for whatever is in front of us – be it taking care of our planet or our brothers and sisters.

Param pitha parmathma se natha jo joodh jata hai
Ek garane jaisa sara jahan nazar yeh aatha hai.

(Once we become one with the Almighty Formless
We see the whole world through the lens of Oneness).

Verse 67 of the Hardev Bani beautifully captures this sentiment of seeing everyone with love as a part of our own selves, not differentiating based on backgrounds, skin color, religion, or anything else.

When connection with the Father God
Is readily, firmly established – Nirankar
Then like one family – the whole world,
Appears to be here on earth, Nirankar,
The one spirit, dynamic in every being,
All start to see all around, O’ Nirankar,
To be able to live in brotherhood they,
Acquire the righteous way, O Nirankar

Often times, children’s puzzles come with little markings like a color, shape or symbol on the back so that kids readily observe which pieces go together. The markings indicate the pieces are part of the same puzzle. I like to think we all have a similar marking within us – I call it the formless divinity.  When you look into the eyes of another, you sense its presence.  When you look at the trees, oceans and mountains, the stoic presence of the formless can be felt.  Observing the vast cosmos at night, the silent being of the formless manifests itself.  One only needs to look for the marking – sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, because as Baba Avtar Singh Ji writes;

Each atom has your mark
Every leaf Your physique
In four corners all around
I see only Your Mystique

Avtar Bani, Verse 2

Hopefully one day we will all share this peace-invoking realization that we are part of the same perfect puzzle, God’s own masterpiece!

– Arti Nehru, Los Angeles USA

 Who you are – and where you are from,

Why don’t you come n’ learn, Nirankar,

As to what your real-essential nature is

O Man do grasp n’ recognise, Nirankar!

                                                    – Hardev Bani 295

Baba Hardev Singhji, in the above verse, poses two important questions: who are you, and where are you from? Prior to answering them, he explains as to what and who we are not. Our material facet, which we dwell upon 24-7, is one that can never make us whole. Our spiritual facet, of which we are usually unaware, has to be brought to the fore. For this Babaji advocates the Gnostic Knowledge. Let’s see what this means.

The eyes n’ ears are indeed yours, but,

You’re not these eyes n’ ears, Nirankar

Just like the house is indeed yours, but

You the self aren’t the house, Nirankar

                                                   – Hardev Bani 295

Every human being lives with the understanding of just a physical and mental level, considering themselves to be mere body and mind. Dwelling on such a mind-set gives rise to many a conflict in life. After seeking divine knowledge one comes to the understanding of the true self or true identity. The Master’s words portray to us that we are indeed beyond the mind and the body. We are part of the Formless. We are souls in the purest form, and descendants of the supreme father.

You’re apart from your body and mind

You’re part of God – Almighty Nirankar

Pure an’ sacred form, you are the soul

Mighty God’s very own child – Nirankar

                                                  – Hardev Bani 295

Babaji explains that life can only be fulfilled when we meet the very essence that we have separated from. We must become one through the grace of a Satguru, who bestows on us the Knowledge of God, with which we can recognise ourselves once again

Understand the essence, states Hardev

From the Satguru’s Gnosis, O’ Nirankar

Meeting the one you have parted from

Do indeed recognise yourself, Nirankar

                                                       – Hardev Bani 295

Babaji further explains that having recognised ourselves we duly grasp the fact that we are all, without exception, one and the same essence of Almighty God. As siblings of God, we realise that you are no different to me. If I were to hurt you, I would hurt myself in the process.

My true essence is your true essence as well. When we recognise our essential essence, we find that we are all part and parcel of the same Omnipresent Father.

If they knew of one father

There’d be no fight – at all,

There is no answer – Avtar,

Without true Master’s call

                           – Avtar Bani 236

              – Anmol Sharma, California USA

The question – what is my true identity – is one that has intrigued philosophers and thinkers for many millennia. In the words of Chris Tomlin, the role that I play and my physical identity significantly impact how my life plays out. They are still, however, only tools and expressions for my true identity. What I understand and believe about my true identity directs the roles I live and the way I use my physical attributes and abilities.

You’re a good, good Father. It’s who You are. It’s who You are. It’s who You are.
And I am loved by You. It’s who I am. It’s who I am. It’s who I am¹.

Just as learning about physics and biology, we require a teacher who is well versed in the subject matter, to find our subtle self, we also need an adept who can not only guide us, but also tell us the difference between the role we play in life and our real, essential character. For this, one has to have the strong will to enquire. The Master will certainly arrive to answer the question in earnest. This is how the Bible puts it:

Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek, and ye shall find,
Knock, and it shall be opened to you.²

The Master in question is here with us, in the form of Mata Sudikshaji. We need to ask, seek and knock on her door for the revelation to be revealed. For, only then can we understand that

We are not a drop in the ocean,
but the entire ocean in a drop³.

The Knowledge of God is instrumental in not only realising God Almighty, Nirankar, but also in understanding our subtle identity. This is why Baba Hardev Singhji reminds us to Know One, Believe in One, and Become One.  

Having had the Knowledge, it should be our highest priority to implement it into our lives. For, it is only by doing so that we, as human beings, become humane. This helps us to rise above every division of class, culture, language and religion.

Mata Sudikshaji, who is working tirelessly to establish stability in the world, tells us to connect with Nirankar. For such a connection liberates us from all our bondages, and renders us one with the world at large. She says,

We should love all, rising above the differentiations of all kind. These are not just words to be uttered, but meant to be fully imbibed in life. God has created all of us as equals. We should, therefore, not differentiate with each other on the basis of dress, diet, language and nationality.

Shubhdeep Banga
Nirankari Colony, Delhi,India

Our Perceived Identity

During our lifetime, we attach meaning to many things. While these things may be objects, events or circumstances, the meaning can often evolve into associations with our identity.

I recall my years at school and university. I attached much meaning to my exams (and rightly so). However, this meaning evolved into identity. Rather than my exams being an important event, they became a critical milestone instead. Their outcome determined the label I received, which in turn would determine who I am. If I received a high grade, I would forever be known as a first class student. My future life journey was determined by this one, singular outcome.

This thinking continued when I joined the highly competitive, corporate working world. Instead of exams, there were now performance reviews. Instead of degrees, there were promotions. The principle remained, however, that these titles and badges formed part of my identity. If someone asked me to introduce yourself, my instant reaction would be to respond with I am a management consultant at XYZ working in ABC area. But, is that really who I am?

Asking Yourself Why?

What do my reflections teach me? Well, I can see a pattern of operating in a pre-conditioned society and how those norms had embedded into my subconscious and led me to become confused as to my real self. Essentially, the standard ways of living in this world that have built up in society over hundreds of years had confused me. I believed that these external things – i.e. titles, status, events – were directly linked to my identity. However, this is a highly volatile way of living. As these external things are forever changing, my identity will forever be unstable.

As human beings, we should continuously strive to learn, improve and evolve. Each life experience – good or bad – is embedded with learnings for us to extract and apply within our life. Our journey on earth should therefore be a continuous process of evolution.

However, our identity is the single part of us that remains constant. It is the bit that does not change; it is what stays with us from birth to death. These external things that I was using to derive my identity, cannot, in fact, be my real or lasting self.

So how do I break this thinking? I start by asking myself why? When I become aware of these thinking patterns and question myself, some interesting answers are revealed. For me, I have realised that I had deep insecurities. The external badges or titles gave me a sense of validation, which I happily translated into my identity. When I realised this, I knew that my thinking was wrong. I knew that these things could not be my identity because my gut told me so, even though my logical, conditioned mind tried to counter-argue this.

The Concept of Time

So, the question then arises, once I am aware of what my identity is not, how do I identify what it is? To answer this, let me assess the concept of time. There are x3 phases of time: past, present and future. The past is something that has already happened. The future is a series of events that may or may not happen based on my imagination. The present is what is happening right now. Based on these definitions, the past and future do not exist. They are just old and imagined versions of the present moment. This means that all we have is the present moment i.e. right now. Why is this important? Well because we often associate our identity with either the past (things we previously did / experienced) or the future (things we are yet to do or achieve). However, if the past and future do not exist, then we are left only with the present. This means our identity must exist within the present moment

Where is our True Identity?

So, we now know the following (1) our identity cannot be attached to external circumstances, events or objects as these things are forever changing. Therefore, our identity cannot be the outside. (2) Our identity cannot be based on the past or future as these do not really exist – therefore our identity must lie in the present moment. The final question then arises. If our true identity exists within the present moment and is not on the outside (i.e. external to us), then WHERE is it? The answer is simple – it exists WITHIN (the inside).

What Does ‘Existing Within’ Mean?

Our identity, our truest form, therefore, is the thing that remains constant throughout our lifetime. When I was a child my body, hair and shape was different to that of today. Last week, my emotions and thoughts were different to that of today. This means my body, mind, thoughts and emotions cannot be my truest form, as these things are subject to constant change. As a result, the inside cannot be equated with my thoughts, emotions and sensory perceptions. Instead, the inside refers to my energy – my pure consciousness. This is the same energy and pure consciousness that exists within us all.

Our mind and body act as the house– they are the object. The energy or consciousness within is the occupant – it is the subject. Using this analogy, the simple truth I now remind myself of regularly is not to become the object (i.e. become engrossed in my thoughts, emotions and sensations). Instead, we are to observe these objects without judgement. My true identity is the subject, who is observing the object. I am, infact, the observer.  At deeper levels of spiritual experience, even this duality melts away, when the observer and observed, become One*. 

                                                                                                              – Shivraj Singh, London

Knock knock? Who’s there?
Well, that is what I have come to discover!

If someone were to ask me as to what my true identity is, I may well mention my name, my profession and the values that define me. But, if I were to delve deep into ‘who I am’ and ‘where I have come from’, I may search online for a family tree or order a personalised DNA kit to discover my heritage. However, will that really reveal who I am?

If I remove all the worldly man-made barriers, the layers of caste, creed, gender, personal beliefs and societal hierarchical ranking, I will find – at the core of everything – not only who I am, but that I am no different to any other person.

As humans we have far more similarities than differences. A smile is recognised universally. A heart-felt good deed is appreciated worldwide, and we all feel the warmth of an embrace from a loved one. If we consider the question from a scientific perspective, my DNA is 99.9% the same as yours.

So what is my true identity? Who am I? It would appear that we all have a common thread, permeating throughout the universe. But, in order to understand my true identity, I must first work on knowing myself and my essential nature.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French philosopher, reminds us that

We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

The Sant Nirankari Mission stresses upon the dictum, Know One, Believe in One, Become One. In the same vein, Rumi in his Mathnawi¹ evokes the following emotion:

Do you know what you are? You are a manuscript of a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face. This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself; Everything that you want, you are already that.

It is incumbent upon me, therefore, to introspect deeply. I must connect with the all-pervading God, Nirankar, to fully understand my identity. While being accustomed to having our questions answered immediately through search engines, the answer to the question of my true identity must come from within.

We must find a contemporary Master, who is able to unveil the Divine. This revelation, the Gnostic Knowledge, then has to be imbibed in our lives for us to be one with the Divine. It is a process that requires commitment, dedication and concentration². 

Rather than relying on external validation to gain inner-peace, I must dwell upon the inner-grounding, security and stability. Mata Sudikshaji puts it as follows:

We should create a life that feels good on the inside,
rather than one which just looks good on the outside.

That is not to say that we should shy away from worldly responsibilities. The fourth principle clearly tells us that God is to be realised, and imbibed, whilst living a normal family life. Behind all the material success in the world there has to be a universal purpose that is common to all of us. The likes of Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson, some of the richest people on earth, also talk about unlocking our potential.

During his recent excursion into Space, Bezos shared how serene and peaceful Earth looked from above. It was ‘one’ with no boundaries or nationalities. He shared how he became inspired with the ambition to help future generations to unlock their potential. Branson, during a similar voyage through the stratosphere communicated that it was the most incredible experience of his life, looking down at beautiful earth in silence. He went on to vow that he would devote the rest of his life to tackling climate change and various issues the world is facing today.

I feel so fortunate to have been guided, and given the knowledge, which is the source of my identity. Although a trip to Space would be lovely, I must appreciate the land and the seas on Earth, while trying to remain grounded. After all, I am a mere droplet in this vast ocean of the Divine; my soul is part of this Super-soul. The same energy which is in me is within you too; it encompasses the entire Universe.

There is nothing wrong with having sky-high ambitions as long as I act with integrity, maintain good morals, work towards the betterment of society, and do not allow materialistic aspirations to consume me. I am to remember Almighty Nirankar, always.

We often hear the quote, based on inspirations from HH Baba Hardev Singhji;

It is worthy to be whatever you wish to be,
but first of all become a human being³.

How do I do that? In fact, how do I connect to my humanity? This is where Seva, Simran and Satsang come in. Serving others selflessly helps to nurture my love for Nirankar and His creation. Simran provides a platform for me to self-reflect, meditate, focus and have gratitude towards Nirankar. Surrounding myself with the company of enlightened beings helps me to solidify my faith and develop spiritually.

Being in touch with my true identity, I try and become more self-aware of my behaviour, particularly when nobody else is around me. HH Mata Savinderji reminded us that just as CCTV cameras monitor us in public, Nirankar is also always watching us. Hence, we should always be aware and constantly alert in order to avoid making mistakes.

Ultimately, if I dig even deeper, I realise that there is one string which connects us all. It is this limitless energy – the Almighty Formless Nirankar, which is the crux, and at the core of everything. It is my connection with Him that helps me to appreciate, who I really am. I then begin to understand my true identity – our true identity – and work towards the blissful state of Oneness.

         – Harkrishan Batra, London

Identity encompasses memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one’s sense of self. Most of us struggle with the questions – Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? A child identifies his sense of identity with his parents, his family and community. As he progresses in age, the sense of identity keeps on changing.

For most people, the only image they have of themselves comes from the social mirrors – i.e. the views, perceptions, and ideas of the people around them. As a result, it differs from individual to individual, and at different life stages. It is largely a consequence of upbringing and socio-cultural experiences.

This is because every individual perceives us differently, with different expectations and understanding. The phrase ‘she cries at the drop of a hat’ can be interpreted differently. For some,, it means ‘she is weak’, in that  she won’t be able to succeed in her life. For others, it means ‘she is very stubborn’, in that she won’t settle until she gets what she wants. Yet another interpretation could be, ‘she is a sensitive child’ – very much in tune with her feelings. Each one of them is attaching the filters of their social mirrors in forming such a view, leading to certain messages the child will imbibe. The child may develop a negative, distorted, ambiguous or an altogether positive message for herself, depending on which message she internalises.

What if the person – in this case, a little girl – grows up believing certain things about themselves? She may eventually develop some core beliefs about herself, which shapes her personality. She may even develop fears, and make decisions based on these core beliefs which impact her and other people around her. Positive core beliefs on the other hand, may be a source of self-esteem and resilience.

Maybe down the track, we come across some scenarios – i.e. people or experiences that help us evolve our understanding of ourselves. CBT Psychotherapists for example, can help us examine and even challenge our core beliefs, so that we may change them for our betterment. We come to the realization that these have never been our own beliefs, but the projections others cast upon us. They were reflections of what others thought of us – who they believed us to be. In fact, people are so out of touch with themselves that it becomes foolhardy to accurately describe others. Therapy may help us understand this, but even then, we simply exchange old beliefs for new ones.

So, the deeper question remains – Who Am I?

We might try to find our identity within materialistic things, possessions, looks, power, professions or jobs. It is an inherent requirement of a human being to satisfy a need for belonging and recognition. We yearn to find a place in society or feel part of some group or sect. With time, we may realize that these things are also borrowed, ever-changing and not stable. With wisdom, we reach an understanding that what we own, our sense of status, our role and group membership is changing over time. It cannot create a sense of stable identity or self-worth. These facets of self may contribute, but something more is needed.

Hence, the pursuit of that deeper appreciation of self is highly important. It has been observed that as humans lacking a stable sense of self-identity, we also lack peace of mind. As a result, it is common to feel dissatisfaction and disharmony within, even though we may have achieved great knowledge and achievements. If we each analyse ourselves, we will know this to be true.

In order to find peace – not partial, fleeting or mood dependant – one needs to connect with something stable, constant, unchanging and reliable. According to the Scriptures, and of course prophets and sages, the only lasting stability is to be found in the ultimate truth – Formless Nirankar. This source of all does not change, come or go. The Bible says,

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.  

God is the only everlasting and the ultimate truth which does not change with time. Baba Hardev Singhji used to say, ‘human beings are oblivious of their true identity which is that of being a soul – a unit of the Eternal Super soul, the Almighty God.

We tend to forget this identity in the journey of life. We get so engrossed and distracted by indulging in the needs of our mortal body and desires of our mind that we start believing that having comfort and pleasures is the sole purpose of human life. However, over time we find that pleasure is short-lived and unable to give us the stability we seek.

When we attach ourselves with things which are ever-changing, we are unable to find bliss and peace. Setbacks in life such as failures, loss of wealth, position, relationships or even loss of intellect and memory, can lead to a sense of despondency. Such setbacks are part of becoming disillusioned – they tear the fabric of our false sense of identity. Such disillusionment is necessary, if we are to progress with our examination of what life really is, and who we really are.

That quest is achieved, when we open ourselves up to the spiritual reality. After achieving self-realization, we start identifying ourselves with the eternal, self-existent, non-changeable, blissful existence. We fully understand that this life is transient and subject to change and demise. Strangely, even the material existence begins to become a source of joy. When we realize what is lasting and what is temporal, we can use life with all its colour and experiences, without becoming attached or lost within it. We accept things as gifts from God; we use them without the sense of ownership, and feel able to surrender them as needed when the time comes. There is a unique freedom in this process.

Bliss is attained in the realization of the soul as part and parcel of the Super-soul. One can imagine the trials and tribulations of a tiny drop of water, as it seeks its source. Until it merges in the ocean, it cannot rest. Satguru has always counselled that self-realization is only possible through God-realization. How can the drop know itself? It learns when it merges with its source

Until this merger, the drop may be known by many different names and attributes – sometimes rivulet, stream, river, lake, waterfall or estuary. These identifications attain oneness, when the water arrives at the ocean. We too are on a journey like this. Becoming one with the One, opens the door to our true identity.

                                                                              – Dr Gurprit Ganda, Sydney, Australia

We perceive the world through the big five senses: sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Through complex feedback loops, these five senses allow us to make sense of the world. As we go through life, our interactions, successes and failures form a story line which becomes our identity. But how true is this perception of ours? Is this our real identity?

Last year, I graduated medical school and entered my training in Internal Medicine. The first couple of days, while making rounds on the wards, I found myself struggling with how I would introduce myself to the patients. Would it be, Hi, I’m Akanksha, the 4^th year medical student, or perhaps, I’m Dr Mehla; I will be taking care of you today. As I entered a new role, I found myself stumbling over not just my words, but also my sense of identity. My story had evolved.

Our lives are in a constant state of flux, and as such, so are our identities. As we enter new relationships, job titles, or pursue further education, how we identify ourselves constantly evolves. In the words of the French Philosopher Henri Bergson,

there is no state of mind, however simple,
which does not change every moment.

With so many identifiers, therefore, what is our true identity? Is there something unchanging, a constant that I can use as a centring force in my life, in the midst of change?

I have learned it is very easy to be judgmental of others. That judgement may stem from boredom, jealously, insecurities or all of the above. At times we can also be overly judgmental of ourselves, undermining our own accomplishments and being overly critical of our appearances. In doing so, we often impede our ability to be our authentic self.

Lao Tzu says:

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be

He speaks about the importance of unlearning what we think we are. We are to let go of the stories we tell ourselves. Rather than the false sense of self we identity ourselves with, we should tune into a higher reality.

We spend too much time worrying about who we ought to be, instead of taking a long hard look at who we already are, within. The Mandukya Upanishad explains,

Ayam Atma Brahma
The Self is God

How liberating it is to know that all that I seek, I already am. My anxieties or worries are the product of external influences, which disappear when I am centred within this all-pervading entity.

These concepts are not new. I have grown up listening to the importance of being centred in Nirankar, to attain peace and equipoise. In addition, phrases like connect to your higher self or what you seek is seeking you lie rampant on the internet. Yet at times, I struggle to remain connected. I think of bliss as an abstract, unattainable concept.

Satguru Mataji, in her discourses, has emphasized that receiving the Knowledge of God is only the beginning of the journey. While our external identities are always changing, our inner self – Nirankar, the higher Self, God, the Tao – acts as our constant, as we work to grow ever closer to it. Our journeys start by embracing the Knowledge of God. As we continue on, we evolve by peeling back the layers of biases, opening our hearts to one another, stepping away from our fears and becoming more in tune with our common humanity. Instead of living in a world of me and you, we transition to living in a state of unity with our surroundings.

So the journey to uncovering our true identity becomes an active process. It is not one limited to drinking golden milk lattes and yoga studios. By meditating on thoughts shared in Satsang, and actively working to integrate those teachings in our lives, we are better able to experience and sustain a long-lasting connection with Nirankar. After all, as the scriptures tell us, if we take one step towards God, he will take 10 steps toward us.

                                                                                                       – Dr Akanksha Mehla, Detroit, USA

One of the greatest story tellers of all time, Hans Christian Anderson, wrote a story called the Ugly Duckling. In the story, a mother duck hatches her eggs. One of the ducklings is markedly different; it’s bigger with brown feathers. The siblings and other animals tease him, calling him ugly. One day, lonely and feeling like an outcast, he runs away.

As the duckling grows, he looks up into the sky and sees a flock of swans overhead. He looks at their beauty and starts to cry. The swans call to him to fly with them. Although he feels unworthy, he takes flight with the majestic birds. When they land, the duckling looks at the ground and again starts to cry. One of the swans asks him what is wrong. He replies that he wishes he wasn’t ugly.

Confused, the swan leads the duckling to the edge of the pond and says, look into the water my child; you are divine. When the duckling stares into the water, he sees his own reflection. He is not an ugly duckling, but now a beautiful swan.

As human beings, we rely on our sense of self, the collection of characteristics that we think define us. We take personality traits, abilities, likes and dislikes, our self-belief system, moral code, and the things that motivate us and contribute to our self-image, to be us. Social media tells us to be thinner, earn more money, and surround ourselves with things that make us happier. We compare ourselves to others to determine our own worth. In the process, we become sad and even despondent when we find we are not the same, or perhaps even feel we are not as good as others.

The Gyan helps us to see our Spiritual Self. It is our most beautiful powerful Self. Not only authentic, but the unconditional part that does not rely on any pattern or the body. This is, in fact, our divine consciousness which lies within us all. Our human brain, the mind, tries to control us with thoughts and regrets of the past.

Rather than just learning from our experiences, we must let our true Self cultivate the qualities within us that fill our lives with love. Our connection to Nirankar is a ‘felt’ experience. It is not our past or future, nor our mind or body.

We must reconnect with our true formless identity and fly with other Saints. They will allow us to see that we are not alone, ordinary, rejected, or ugly.

When we falter, feeling lost, lonely, ugly, we must trust in Nirankar. We must remember to take a step towards the edge of the water, taking a leap of faith, and see our true reflection.

We are glorious, we are beautiful, and we are divine!

             – Debbie Braid, UK

The world or humankind would indeed be better served if more of us were operating from our true identity – in other words, being our authentic selves. But how do we identify with this true identity?

My professional role is life coaching.  I love the word ‘life’, because it is so much more inclusive than narrowly coaching people in business, voice control, relationships and so on.  My focus is on LIFE!  Clients often come to me with very specific areas or goals that they wish to develop or achieve. But before too many sessions have passed, I discover, sometimes in the very first session, that my clients are more interested in finding out who they really are, and what they really want. The rest can usually wait. The journey to reveal their true identity really begins from here.

I feel that the journey of self-awareness is the portal through which we must pass in order to recover, change, or develop personally and professionally. But how are we to discern our true identity, as opposed to the view we may hold onto about ourselves right now? What exactly is the yardstick? What are we to measure ourselves against? Which mirror are we to look into? Indeed, which checklist are we to work from?

It is most likely that we base our sense of Self on what is imposed upon us, and what we gather through our sense perceptions, starting from the moment of birth. As soon as we arrive in this world, we are given a name, followed by an identity that begins to be mapped out for us. Cultural pressures are also applied subconsciously, not just to shape, but to fit us into a societal, fashionable and intellectual mould, even at the expense of our true self.

As humans, we long to fit in. As mammals, we have historically needed to. However, it is often the more self-confident, resilient and well-supported children who grows into adults, without struggling with this. We do not all fall into this category.

Working together, using a variety of coaching tools – deep listening, reflections, and gentle questions – the clients begin to find out who they truly are.

Referring to an enlightening process, I once heard an old Quaker quote: for our comfort and discomfort. This fits well with the level of honesty which may be required to take a good look at ourselves. After all, we are all a mixture of dark and light.

But who are we? Who have we been told we are by our parents, teachers, and employers? Does that still feel true?

Who are we when we are at home alone, stripped of the masks and costumes we wear in order to feel safe, acceptable, or even invisible?

As for myself, I spent my younger adult years behaving like an extrovert. I told others so as well. But I was to realise later that I was an in fact introvert, desperately trying to fit into the world.  I see now just how exhausting this process was.

Through life coaching, clients may be asked to complete a range of sentences;

I am….
Sometimes I can be…
Sometimes I can feel…
I like…
I don’t enjoy…
I believe…
I feel joy when…
I feel fearful when…
I know I am good at…
I have a tendency to…
I hope to…

From these openings, we can start to get in touch with our values and beliefs. The next step, is to consider whether we are living a life that matches our values and beliefs? If not, it becomes important to understand what gets in the way of this, and then to take some steps, however small, to overcome these barriers.

Can we risk unpopularity? Are we able to stop worrying about what others think of us? Might we be able to resist the pressure to stay in our comfort zones, which really means staying the same? As we change for the better, moving towards a more authentic and preferred way of being, it may cause discomfort to those around us, because anything new or unfamiliar can be unsettling.  But in time, people will be drawn towards our authentic expression, and it may inspire them to make the journey themselves.

It’s never too late to live life from our true identity. When we get back to basics, we discover that we no longer have to keep to old patterns or fit neatly into the world as we were told it should be. We come to terms with the notion that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.

                      – Caroline Gibbs, Solihull, UK