Who Are You Really? Discovering Your True Identity through the Bhagavad Gita
It might seem trivial at first, but understanding who you truly are is one of the most vital steps toward genuine happiness and fulfillment—not to mention spiritual growth. Before diving into any aspect of Hare Krishna philosophy, the journey begins with uncovering your true identity and understanding who you really are.
You might think, “But I already know who I am!” Yet, the truth lies far deeper than the surface-level perceptions we often cling to. This self-discovery is crucial because it influences every facet of our lives—our happiness, fulfilment, personal growth, relationships, and even our ultimate success. Beyond the individual level, this understanding holds profound importance; the future of the world depends on humanity collectively reconnecting with this deeper truth.
So who are we then?
The Bhagavad Gita, the ancient text that forms the basis of Hare Krishna philosophy reveals a profound truth: our true identity is unchanging, rooted in something far deeper than our body or mind. This essence, often overlooked, holds the key to living a fulfilling and meaningful life.
The Question of Identity
Imagine someone asks you, “Who are you?” How would you answer?
You might start with your name, then mention your roles—perhaps a parent, spouse, or friend. You could describe your profession, hobbies, or affiliations, like being a teacher, artist, or football fan.
But let’s think deeper. Names, roles, and professions can all change. Relationships evolve, jobs shift, and even the way we see ourselves transforms over time. And something that is changing can’t really define the essence of our identity.
Even though your personality, appearance, and feelings may have changed over time, you never transformed so completely that you became your brother or sister—you’re still you. So, what is that core essence of your being? Beneath the ever-shifting layers of identity lies your true self—unchanging, eternal, and brimming with limitless potential.
The Bhagavad Gita tells us that things are not really what they seem. Who you think you are, isn’t really you. It’s one big net of illusion, and the very first thing is break through this mystical illusion and see the real thing.
The Essence of Our Being
According to the wisdom of the Hare Krishna philosophy, we are not these temporary labels or roles. At our core, we are spiritual beings, made of spiritual energy. This spiritual essence, or soul, is what gives life, consciousness, and meaning to our existence.
The soul is distinct from material energy, which is lifeless and inert. While material energy builds the physical world we see, it lacks the vitality to create or feel. In contrast, spiritual energy—the soul—is the source of consciousness, creativity, and love. To learn more about material and spiritual energies, check out the link below
In simple terms, we are souls inhabiting bodies made of matter. The body is like a vehicle, a tool that allows us to interact with the material world. Without the presence of the soul, the body is lifeless—just as a car cannot move without a driver.
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The Journey of the Soul
The Bhagavad Gita beautifully illustrates this idea in a verse:
“As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.”
The soul is eternal – and that’s what we are. What we see as aging or death is merely the body—the temporary vehicle—wearing out. When it can no longer serve its purpose, the soul moves on to a new body, a process known as reincarnation.
This perspective transforms how we see life and death. The soul never dies; it simply transitions, continuing its journey – in the same way that it’s done many times in this body.
A World of Deeper Understanding
Recognizing yourself as a soul—a being of spiritual energy—changes everything. It brings clarity to your purpose and a sense of connection to others, as we are all part of the same spiritual reality.
Simply put, we are spirit souls residing within bodies made of matter. The body acts like a vehicle—a tool enabling us to navigate and interact with the material world. Without the soul, the body is inert, much like a car that cannot function without a driver. It is the soul’s presence, manifesting as consciousness, that animates the material energy and gives it the appearance of life and motion.
So, who are you? You are not just a name, a role, or a profession. You are a soul—eternal, full of life, love, and infinite potential. And understanding this is the first step toward living a truly happy life—and creating a happier world.
How would this change the world?
Imagine, if everyone knew or understood that we were all spiritual beings, wouldn’t it solve a lot of problems in this world? Would there be racism? Discrimination based on age and sex? Fighting between countries? Crime? The biggest problems in this world would disappear if one understood that they’re not this body, but a spirit soul.
A story about the soul
The Story of the Viking King and the Bird: A Tale of Life and the Soul
The venerable Bede, an English monk and historian, recorded a profound story that has resonated through the ages. It tells of a Viking king and his council deliberating the mysteries of life, death, and the soul.
The King’s Question
This isn’t just an Eastern idea—it’s a universal concept reflected across cultures. One such story comes from the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written in AD 731 by the venerable Bede, an English monk and historian. It tells of a Viking king and his council pondering the mysteries of life, death, and the soul.
Picture the scene: a Viking king seated in his grand hall, chandeliers casting flickering light, drinking mead, surrounded by his ministers and advisors. The king addresses them, saying:
“Life is fleeting. It feels so short and uncertain, like a dream. What lies beyond? What is it all about?”
The room falls silent as his ministers wrestle with the profound question, wondering how best to enlighten their king—perhaps slightly inebriated—on the meaning of life.
Suddenly, a small bird flutters into the hall through one window, glides across the room, and vanishes out through another.
Seizing the moment, one of the ministers speaks:
“My dear king, did you see that bird? That is life.”
The king, puzzled, asks, “What do you mean?”
The minister points to the first window and explains, “That window represents birth.” Then, gesturing to the other window, he says, “And that window represents death. The bird’s journey through the hall is life.”
Intrigued, the king leans forward and says, “Tell me more.”
The minister continues, “Do you believe the bird existed before it entered the hall?”
“Of course,” the king replies.
“And do you believe it continues to exist after it has left?”
“Yes,” the king nods.
The minister concludes, “In the same way, we exist before birth and continue after death. But we focus only on the fleeting moment between the two, mistaking it for the whole of existence. In truth, life has no beginning or end.”
This story beautifully illustrates the soul’s journey. Like the bird, the soul briefly passes through this world, experiencing the transient nature of life, before moving on to its eternal existence.
The Soul’s Size: Infinitesimal Yet Infinite
According to Hare Krishna philosophy, the soul, though incredibly small in size, wields immense influence because its power comes from its spiritual nature, which is fundamentally different from material energy.
The Bhagavad Gita describes the soul as one ten-thousandth the size of the tip of a hair. While this may seem tiny in material terms, the soul’s influence is not limited by its size because it is spiritual energy, which transcends material limitations.
The soul’s smallness is an indication of its subtle nature, not its capacity. Spiritual energy is categorically different from material energy—it is eternal, conscious, and unbounded by physical dimensions.
The Soul’s Influence
Despite its size, the soul’s presence is what animates and enlivens the entire material body, much like:
- A Small Spark Igniting a Forest Fire
A tiny spark of fire can burn down an entire forest because of its fiery nature. Similarly, the soul’s spiritual potency animates the entire body and enables it to think, feel, and act. - The Sun’s Reflection in a Drop of Water
The sun, though distant and vast, can reflect fully in a small drop of water. The soul, though infinitesimal, carries the full potency of spiritual energy and can illuminate an entire body with life and consciousness. - Electricity in a Device
A small flow of electricity powers complex devices. The soul acts similarly, energizing the body and driving its functions. Without the soul, the body is like a machine without power—lifeless.
The Spiritual Nature of the Soul
Another fascinating point to consider is that the soul, whether in an ant or an elephant, possesses the same spiritual qualities and serves as the animating force within the body it inhabits. The differences in physical form, abilities, and perception are due to the material body—not the soul itself.
There isn’t a hierarchy of souls where an animal soul is less significant than a human soul. Every soul is equally important and spiritual by nature. Whether the soul resides in the body of a cow, an elephant, or a human, its essence remains unchanged.
While it may seem that animals exhibit less consciousness or perception than humans, this isn’t a limitation of the soul but of the body the soul occupies. The body acts as a vehicle, shaping the soul’s ability to express itself.
For example, you could drive at high speeds in a sleek BMW, but if you’re driving an old, clunky car like mine, you might struggle to even reach 70 miles per hour. The limitation isn’t with you—it’s with the car! Similarly, the soul’s potential remains the same, regardless of the material body it inhabits.
The Power of Spiritual Energy
Material concepts of size and limitation do not apply to the soul. Its influence is rooted in its spiritual nature, which is part of the infinite energy of the Supreme Soul, Krishna. Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Gita (2.23–25) that the soul cannot be cut, burned, dried, or destroyed. This indestructibility and subtlety are why the soul can influence and sustain a body much larger than itself.
The immense influence of the soul, despite its size, reflects the potency of spiritual energy. This is why spiritual practices in the Hare Krishna tradition focus on uncovering and amplifying the soul’s natural consciousness through chanting, meditation, and devotion.
Applying the Lesson to Modern Life
Well, in today’s fast-paced world, we often lose sight of the soul’s journey, becoming consumed by material concerns and fleeting pleasures. Now with this new understanding, you can pause, reflect, and seek a deeper understanding of life’s purpose. It’s not just material pleasures and comforts, but it’s much deeper, and our purpose is spiritual.
