What is identity?

Hello all,

Namaste! All of you, my dear blog readers, know about my website-swaroopa.net. I have started my business, Swaroopa store, which can be accessed from Shop tab on my website, for Souls who are interested in a personal reading. There is also the Swaroopa Store link, on my blog's left side. Now to the post.

Last week, we looked at how our deepest intentions come to fruition only when we align with the deepest depths of our core. Let us now look at another aspect of our being. As of today, the world itself is sitting inside, trying to figure out, how to proceed and progress. The life we used to know before 2020, seems like a long lost dream. How did we get to here from a reality that allowed us to move around without restrictions, mingle with anyone we wanted and eat/enjoy/entertain ourselves whether in a mall, movie theater or a festival or fair. What happened to that reality?

It is when we identifies ourselves with an outer reality entirely it becomes very difficult when the outer reality changes. We always used to think of that as the solid support we always had in our life. It can be anything. Our identification with a job, career, family, spouse, youth, kids, wealth, the cars we own or even our home/homestead. All of these give us comfort and deep emotional satisfaction. The realm of the Moon in Vedic astrology. The comfort of the soup or hearth, the home provides. But this is outside ourselves. Our, outer reality. It can change, as life proceeds,

Jobs gets lost. Loved ones go to the other side. The world stays inside due to a quarantine or lock down. Many of you may be following the US elections. The Democratic Presidential nominee, Joseph Biden narrates the story of how his dad had to quit a job he worked for because he felt the job was morally wrong. How his dad came in one night to his bed room and sat near him and explained, how there are things greater than just a paycheck, job or a career, like dignity and respect. Those words (you can read the link) deeply affected the young Biden, who carried the advice through his almost thirty five years at the US Senate and later as the Vice-President of the United States. As we always discuss here, words and the underlying emotions they project are very powerful. We already discussed Abraham Lincoln and his honest and integrity here. ( One month to the US elections, I am thinking of writing about integrity, ethics, honesty and other virtues. Let us see, how it proceeds.)

The external reality of 2020 - Covid-19!
Image credits - Pixabay.com

 

So, what I was trying to portray is many times during our life, the outer reality can change. Wars can show up. We can be overtaken by natural calamities, diseases, loss in the family or even deep displacement due to social, ethnic or religious persecution. For example, the continent of Europe and greater world has seen waves upon waves or social and ethnic persecution. To name a few, the Jews were persecuted by Nazis, the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia as recent as the nineties, genocide of Yazidis by ISIS, and the Uighur conflicts in China.

The culture and the values: This is where we need to find our solid foundation, within. Nobody said we should not have culture, traditions or values. We should. That is what gives us the vibrancy and enrichment in our life. If the festival of lights (Diwali) or the festival of colors (Holi), or the birth of Jesus Christ (Christmas) or the feast of the sacrifice (Ramadan) gives deep value and depth for our life, we should celebrate it or follow it. Because above the material aspect of the festival outside, it gives us a deep inner spiritual aspect- the value of our culture or traditions.

But here, one thing we need to note is, while celebrating our culture and values, we should never ever try to bring another Soul or human, down. Many times humans don't realize the deep, innate aspect of this criteria. It becomes, either value the culture or party in such a way, it is a slap on the face of another person who is from another culture or religion or party. For example, the nationalistic movements that are happening all over the world. That is actually trying to bring one group down, while bringing another group up. This in the sense or truths of the Universe is deeply wrong or flawed. As I understand nowadays, the Universe does not support anything that brings down a being by supporting another. So, this a case, which just does not vibe well with the Universe.

Now, let me write about another concept that humans many times don't understand. This, I am writing from a nature and Universal perspective. Look at the Earth. Let me give you another task. Go to the website, Pixabay. (I use their snaps a lot. This becomes a great opportunity to give a shout out, and a way to say a small Thank you for the terrific website they maintain. The beautiful nature and other images you see here on the blog is from there. Thank you to all the Pixabay people and all the photographers who took the snaps. You don't know, how Thankful I am, that I can take images from your site. Deeply grateful and Thank you.🙏) Search for natural landscapes. Why not I make it easier. Here, click on this- natural landscapes. Look at some 100,000 images that appear. Isn't the world, globe and the Earth-purely magical and majestic?

A beautiful wintry landscape of Yellowstone National Park, CA, USA
Image credits - Pixabay.com

 

This is how the world and Universe is. Full of color, vibrancy and breath taking beauty. So many colors, textures, hues, patterns, depths and shades. The Universe is very vibrant and expansive. The core essence of the Universe is to expand and be expansive. Even in the way of life, Sanatana Dharma (in other words, Hinduism) the ultimate deity is considered, Viswaroopa- the all encompassing, brilliant, expansive form of the God, Vishnu. So, in other words, the Universe supports anything that expands, grows or makes a being vibrant and happy. But even here, keep the first concept in mind. Universe, still does not support bringing one group up, while bringing another down. That is deeply, a No.

Back to the vibrant, expansive concept. If the whole Universe is so very vibrant and expansive, how can humans who are part of the same Universe, adhere to another principle, called contraction. Do we get the point. If the whole Universe works on the essence of expansion, how can humans choose to contract? Now, from here look at Communism (as practiced in China or North Korea) or another ideal- the fundamentalist movements who are against music, culture, expression of art. Even Capitalism that suffocates the employee with too much work and too little pay is a system of contraction of the individuality and uniqueness. That is why the individual becomes unhappy most times after spending years in such a structure. How can organizations, political philosophies or movements ask people to be too religious, always in prayer or in a military or strict mode-in a grey, colorless state, that takes away culture, color, values, happiness and vibrancy. If they are part of the military of the country, that is different. They are getting paid for that and many times, they joined voluntarily.

Now, can we see why people are becoming sad, depressed and dejected in oppressive regimes, cultures or political systems? This is because, the individual spark, creativity and passions are blown out and the human is asked to behave as a robot-whether in a factory assembly line, a sweat shop or in the military parade honoring the top most leader of the country. In the Universal mode of value, the individual, whether it is a bird, animal or a human is valued and celebrated. Within a group itself, the individual contributions are valued and honored. This part many times gets lost within the idealistic system, political philosophies or propagandist ideologies. 

Innate passions and talents: So, from this perspective, every thing that adds value and innate empowerment to an individual, should be embraced- whether it is religion, art, culture, passions, skills, education, expansion of our own talents and interests- should be promoted. For example, I was born into a Tamil, family that values education, Sanskrit, mantras and rituals. That is how I have grown up in Kerala, the southern most state of India. I used to go to numerous temples, have mantra recitations along with my grand-dad and used to attend (Poojas) with my grand-parents. It was that culture, family values and the deep identification with my own deepest passions, that has brought me here, to a blog where I can take a Hindu mythological concept and find the religious, societal, metaphorical as well as the occult meaning.

For example, I understand Radha and Krishna are celebrated as Gods in Hindu culture and they have temples. In metaphorical meaning, they are depicted as lovers and many movies, dance-dramas and cultural events, showcase them as that. But the same Radha and Krishna, when you analyze in an esoteric perspective can be taken as Radha, the mind and Krishna, the Soul-the Atman. So, it was my birth in such a family, my DNA, my ancestors, my parents and my culture that made who I am today. But that has never ever kept me from interacting with anyone whether a Christian, Muslim, atheist, believer or non-believer.

Radha, the mind and Krishna, the Soul!
Image credits - Subha murugan / CC BY-SA

I have beautiful Souls as friends, both Indians and Americans- Christians, atheists, Muslims and other people who embrace their traditions and values deeply. It is that deep values they see in their own culture, religion, attitude and values, that make the individual and their lives- expansive, vibrant and enriched. For example with a Christian friend, when I talk about power and the triumph of goodness over evil, instead of Durga, I can talk about Archangel Michael or St.George who riding on a horse kills the dragon. The same way to a Muslim instead of saying Swarga (heaven), I could use the term (Jannat). The same heaven, but that is tailored to a person born into the religion and culture of Islam.

So, the point is, everything, religion, culture, value, traditions and rituals are there for the humans. To make human life-valued, vibrant and enriched. There is nothing wrong with the culture, traditions, religions, rituals or any idea that comes up as part of religion. It is when a human or individual takes it and proclaims, it is better than anything else and tries to force it onto others it becomes, bad. Anything innately is not bad- as long as the concept, idea, thought or value is expansive and enriches the person's life. But the same way, it is not correct to go and disrespect something that is different from our culture or religion.

A Hindu should not disrespect or denigrate their own or other's culture, value or traditions. Same way a Christian or a Muslim- should not disrespect their own or other's traditions or cultures. So, what we realize is that, it is not the idea, concept, value or tradition, that is the culprit- but the human mind. The human mind- that likes to divide, categorize, compartmentalize and take advantage. That is the real culprit. It is the mind that divides as us versus them, infidel versus believer, this religion versus that, this culture versus that and all other separations and ramifications. And we, the poor human gets pulled into this separatist, alien or someone different from me, culture view. 

This is what divided countries as Germany and others in the second world war. The so called German Aryan elitist group versus the others. It is what is dividing many countries now. Look at the globe. So, many countries are falling into the trap of nationalism, that gives more value to one group compared to the others, That is wrong. But that does not mean to remove every thing that adds vibrancy and color to the individual and make them grey or from cookie cutter molds. I deeply intuitively feel, Universe from it's innate essence does not support this thought process.

Mind and passions: To further, elaborate this point. If everyone is supposed to be a from a cookie mold or as grey, why are so many different individuals, so many different mindsets, so many different perspectives and so many different values? Correct? In the same household, four siblings would act in four different ways, four different passions and four different talents. So, life and humans themselves are innately individualistic and made as unique beings. It is the society, as it has to function, divides people into groups, cultures, religions and sects. 

The vibrant colors of nature - A dancing peacock!
Image credits - Pixabay.com

 

So, yes, society has to exist. But in the society the individual freedom and values should not get asphyxiated. Actually, this was the success of the experiment called America where individual freedom and values were celebrated and the American Dream became a value everyone could work towards. But somewhere along the way, may be that vision or value dimmed. But that concept is very powerful. With all the unique passions, talents and perspectives, a person could become successful.

Okay, back to the mind. So, it is the mind that tries to divide and separate. We have discussed many, many times about the mind. I have fully lived a life from my mind until my 45th year and now I live from my heart. I understand both perspectives. The viewpoint and perspective from the mind is so very narrow. From the heart-the perspective becomes very expansive, Universal and all inclusive. But the difference is all inclusive- taking the individual as exactly as they are, not trying to change, force other's value or mindset on them.

This type of living and being is very powerful, exhilarating and enriching. The thought of why can't, I have people in my life, who come from every walk, every strata, every culture, every religion and every perspective of life? All included- but with all their uniqueness, originality and authenticity. For example, if we need to have a friend from another religion and culture, embrace everything about them, so that they become a brilliant value in our own life.  But this is the point many humans miss. They start to look from the mind. Remember the mind divides- us/them, Muslim/Hindu, believer/non-believer. The sad point is the society has become so divided and drenched in this perspective, nowadays even a healthy debate becomes emotional.

I actually cannot relate as this religious/political/divisive discussions never used to arise when I used to go to college or Universities. It was all about ideas, perspectives, values and visions. What happened to those collaborative exchange of ideas? Why are people not able to tolerate or trust each other? Have we as humanity become so contracted and narrow in our perspective, we can talk to another only if the other is devoid of every value, perspective, tradition, religion or culture? Why can't we accept them as they are? I cannot understand, when I have to find myself in one side of the debate. Nowadays, I have come to the perspective, don't debate, argue, but write my thoughts through my blog and Quora answers- much better and more calmer.

Identity: So, now finally to identity. As discussed in the previous section, the identity comes from the mind or from the heart. The mind level identity is surface level. When you scratch it, it washes off like a pencil mark with an eraser. This was same as the scientist identity I had. I still retain the knowledge. But the identity, is gone forever. Because, there is a deeper identity from the heart. The identity that we bring with our Soul. This is deeply etched in our DNA, passed down through our ancestors, family and the passions and interests we have acquired through several lifetimes.

Narada, the sage prostating before the Viswaroopa of Vishnu!
Image credits - Ramanarayanadatta astri / Public domain

When we try to align with whatever the society is asking or the current trend, we are leaving all these behind. For example, the spiritual gifts that help me to write this blog, I intuitively feel is the gift of my previous lifetimes, ancestors, my grand-parents and my parents. The legacy from my own birth, family, ancestors and all the experiences they have gone through. Should I leave it behind and not look at it because, the current trend doesn't value much of the Vedic knowledge and values? 

Or should I throw away all those things that doesn't add value to my life and deeply embrace all that add value to my own life, my blog and the blog readers. Isn't that the correct thing to do? The way of life called Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) does have it's negative things like child marriage, caste system and evils. But the same way other religions also have their negatives. But then the individual should develop their mind and intellect to embrace all that is valuable and throw away all that they think are negative to their life. My question- should we throw the baby also out along with the bathwater? I feel Upanishads as deeply helpful and enriches my life. I write concepts,which many times I check whether they are correct with the Upanishads. So, it is not the religion, concepts or the ideas. The culprits are the minds and the mindsets.

Being an empowered individual who values their innate gifts, passion and ideas and is deeply grateful for them. Now, take those unique values and original thoughts, like my gifts from my ancestors, do something with it, that the society or the greater globe is helped. The correct way to develop and embrace one's identity. That kind of identity does not get lost because there is a movement, trend or market hype, happening. True identity from within. Only from that true identity of oneself one can become very empowered and free. Not from anything else.

This identity is from the heart. The Soul identity-powerful, authentic and original. Remember,  about posts on intentions, I wrote for the last two weeks. For that kind of intentions to work, the identity should be from the Soul, through the heart, not something from the mind. Any identity from the mind is an Avatar- a human mask or persona, the mind wears. That is just a mask. But when the real thing, the true identity wants to come out, the masks are torn apart and the brilliant Soul identity comes forth. When that Universal time and space comes around, at that time nothing would stop the Soul identity from coming out. The true identity- Viswaroopa. The truest form of the Self- with all it's brilliant magnificence!

This is true for every being. When the time in their own lifetime for the truest identity to come out, it would, with all the help of the ancestors, family, nature, spiritual guides, Universe and all the energies to support and help. But the caveat is, it can be this lifetime or another lifetime. The only question, then for the being is - Would you be willing, ready to work and co-create with the Divine? The answer determines every thing else.

But then, that is always the free will and choice of a being!

I wish you a good and safe weekend, and I'll see you next Friday!😉

Next week: Viswaroopa - The Soul Self!
Image Credits - Wikimedia Commons and Pixabay