By Jerry Lopper
The question, “Who am I?” captivates each of us at some time in our lives. The human quest for meaning and purpose in life begins with asking this question, and is unsuccessful until answered.
Meditation is the recommended means for gaining insight and answering the “Who am I” question–and it’s a wonderful path to self understanding. Yet many people find it very difficult to meditate. The Western culture is action oriented. We surround ourselves with loads of activities and lots of input in the form of radio, TV, cell phones, pagers, palm pilots, and more, each relieving us of the opportunity to reflect.
When Meditation is Difficult
Bombarded with outside noise, we find it very difficult to devote time to being alone with ourselves. When we try, we often find ourselves tuned in to a barrage of thoughts from self-talk bouncing around our minds. Meditation requires finding a place where thoughts are absent and the mind is quiet and focused—and this is tough to do for many people.
Learning to find that space for a quiet mind is the best path for self awareness and understanding. Learning to monitor self talk and to re-direct or quiet it is equally important. But while that learning process is underway, there is another very easy way to gain great insight into whom you are.
Look around you.
The environment we create for ourselves mirrors who we are being because that’s where we’re most comfortable. So a good first step toward answering the “Who am I?” question is to observe your surroundings.
The physical life that manifests itself to others begins on the inside. That’s where our beliefs, desires, and dreams begin. Our inner-most thoughts ultimately translate to an external reality that is visible. By looking around us, we are able to see the end results of our inner thinking. Working backwards from what we see gives us visibility to whom we are being.
The Questions to Ask
Does your home stimulate activity or reflection? Is it a peaceful, tranquil sanctuary, or is it dynamic, action oriented, and filled with high energy? Is the home space organized and arranged or chaotic and cluttered? Are the colors warm and comforting or bold and energizing?
Ask similar questions about the work environment, especially that private work space that is yours.
Consider your social environment. Are your friends loving, supportive, and positive? Or are they competitive, at times demeaning to others, and often negative?
Look objectively at the activities that entertain you. What do they say about who you are being?
Observe, Accept, Change
Without judging yourself, look around you at your surroundings. You have created this environment, consciously or subconsciously. It mirrors who you are now being, not who you wish to be, nor who you could be, but who you are now.
What does it tell you about you? If what you see in your surroundings suggests inner states of being that surprise, shock, or disappoint you, don’t judge them as wrong or bad. Accept them and acknowledge that the life you’re manifesting is not the life you’d like to create, and then move on to thoughts of how to create what you really do want. And keep working to master a quiet mind.
© 2007 Jerry Lopper. With a rich background in technology, motivation, and the journey of successful living, Jerry offers Life Purpose Coaching for groups and individuals. He publishes many internet articles on Personal Development and Purposeful Growth, and is a Feature Writer at Suite101. His book, Jump for Joy, Clearing the hurdles to an easy life describes ten ways to ease your life and is available at nominal cost directly from the publisher. You can reach Jerry at [email protected]
