Who are you?
Have you ever asked yourself that question? Pondered on it and looked at where your definitions come from? Wondered what role thoughts and beliefs have on self-identity and are we more than that? We learn about ourselves as we journey through life as we become more aware of our characteristics, personality traits, abilities, likes & dislikes, belief system and moral code. They all provide layers that make up who we are and how we self-identify.
So what factors influence your thinking that shapes your beliefs about who you are?
Life experiences - did you know, our brains change physically throughout our lives, creating new neural connections & neurons. So our physical brain and mental processes change based on our life experiences, which in turn changes who we are - or more accurately, who we are becoming.
Genetics - genes control the chemistry in our brain, but can be activated by our environment. Lots of things can influence our genes, including diet, lifestyle, behaviour of others and our physical, emotional and mental environment - home or outdoors, whatever is providing the sensory experience.
Education - can influence our thoughts and not just what we are taught, but how we are are taught and the environment of the school system.
External expectations - our thoughts can be rooted in societal standards and expectations.
Words - we underestimate how powerful words actually are, recent scientific studies have proven they effect our cells and even our DNA. The words we hear and choose to speak provide a powerful lens in which we perceive ourselves through.
Thoughts - they drive emotion, what you think, you become. Thoughts might not be as conscious as spoken words, but the energy behind them can be just as powerful. Your thoughts generate outcome and the outcome shapes your beliefs about yourself and the world around you.
Emotions - these are similar to thoughts, they go hand in hand really. Our emotions can be difficult to manage, understand and articulate, however they are the driving force of our actions and beliefs about ourselves and others.
Can we transcend our thoughts and feelings?
Does it come down to the action we take, rather than the thought and feelings we have, that actually define who we are in the end? Is this how we overcome pre-determined societal norms, generational wounds and external expectations that shape us? And if we can do this, could it be an example of self-transcendence? A process of delving deeper into the question of who we are, not to intellectualise or separate, but to become aware of and include all of the parts that make us who we are.
Self-transcendence comes in 3 stages:
EGO transcendence - moving beyond the confines of one's ego or self-identity to connect with something larger than oneself.
SELF transcendence - expanding one's self-concept to include nature and broader sense of humanity. Having motivation to contribute to the well-being of others or the world.
SPIRIT transcendence - beyond the physical and material world, often involving a sense of awe and includes experiences of faith, spirituality and a connection with a higher power.
Do you feel you’ve been moving through these stages? Are you sensing the collective energy, are you wanting to contribute and be of service? Do you connect with a higher power, the divine or source energy? Are you becoming more than the individual you’ve been told or you presumed yourself to be? We are all evolving, individually, collectively and spiritually. It is the movement and motion that drives this evolution. It is the power of presence, acceptance and creation that will assist in this process and you are cultivating all of those qualities, because essentially you ARE all of those qualities.