“Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.”
― Alan Watts
You are not who you think you are.
Your mind can’t fully grasp the vastness of you. At best, we can identify parts of ourselves—our personalities, likes and dislikes, hopes and dreams. These are important, but they barely scratch the surface of who and what we truly are. Knowing your heart, your spirit, your essence is very different from simply knowing your mind.
The first time I experienced myself at the deepest level, it felt strange, almost foreign. It happened during a deep meditation, a moment of samadhi, where my mind fell silent. In that stillness, I experienced myself without my usual self-deprecating thoughts. I realized that I had been viewing myself through a critical, often negative lens. Until that moment, I had no idea how beautiful and intelligent I truly am. None.
From a young age, we’re programmed, by parents, teachers, society, and our own experiences, to think and believe in certain ways. These mental “programs” can limit us, slowly convincing us that we are less than we really are. While it’s natural to want to grow and improve, this doesn’t mean we aren’t already extraordinary.
Our real nature can’t be seen with our eyes, just as our eyes can’t see themselves. Our essence is an energy, the energy of love itself. You can be it, but you can’t observe it the way you might a reflection in the mirror. If you could experience yourself without the interference of thought, you’d know you are far more radiant and intelligent than you could ever imagine.
Even a fleeting glimpse of this truth can change everything. You begin to see how your mind has shaped your perception, and it becomes harder to believe the illusion that you are anything less than brilliant and loving. Meditation is a gateway into this reality, offering moments of profound clarity about your true self.
This is why I teach meditation, to give others the chance to experience this for themselves. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Once the genie is out of the bottle, you can’t go back. You may still move through a world full of illusions, but now you know they’re illusions.
Experiencing your true self is the most important thing you can do. The alternative, going through life believing you are “less than,” is a tragedy. Without knowing yourself, you can’t truly love yourself.
If you ever have the chance to learn to meditate, take it. Make it a daily practice if you can. Meditation dissolves the barriers that keep us from seeing ourselves and others clearly, opening the door to a more peaceful, meaningful, and fulfilling life.
