Do You Really Know Who You Are?

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Warning! This article could shake your whole world upside down. It is not meant for the faint hearted. Realizing the truth that is behind this article could lead you to a level of freedom and clarity that you would not believe to be possible. Yet the way to that level could be really frightening. You don't need to be afraid though, since I will give you good advice to go through that dark route, but be warned, that this article could be dangerous for some of your most treasured belief systems.

So you think you know who you are, right? You've been around with yourself for more years than anyone else, so you should be the one to know you best.

And that might be true if you compare yourself with other people, but I am here to tell you straight to the face that you don't have a clue who you really are. In fact, you may be so far from the truth, that you were talking about some stranger, whenever you were talking about you.

Let me explain.

Definition - The Basic Building Block of Our Mind

Our human brain functions through defining things and then comparing it to other related items. These 2 parts - Definition and Comparison - are so intertwined, that none could exist without the other.

What do I mean? If you take an object - let's say an apple - you define this object as an apple by comparing it with other objects - like oranges, dogs or cars - and recognizing the differences between these. Then you compare it with other apples, and you find what they do have in common, in comparison to oranges, dogs, and cars. Hence you are able to group things together and add a label to that definition called "apple". And you do the same with all other objects.

This concept of defining things through comparing and then labeling is so essential for our human existence, that this mere act is described in the bible as one of the first acts of Adam, where he labeled all animals with their respective name (Genesis 2:19-20).

The Function of Doubt

So we already said, that the human mind can only define things through comparing it with others and then build a definition using a label by stating the differences.

So labels are shortcuts for you to remember that definition. And we take for granted, that these definitions are true. But are they true? What if you based your observations and therefore your comparison and your definition on false assumptions?

What if you would take away everything to compare? What if none of that would be true, and you would have accepted something as true, that wasn't based on reality but on illusion. What if you would start to doubt anything that you have believed to be true about yourself, for all those years.

A Painful Truth That Could Set You Free

I know this is a painful thought and for sure a very frightening one. It could be so frightening, that people will do everything possible to defend their paradigms, their old beliefs. Why? Because the core function of our subconscious is to keep us from chaos, which we associate massive pain with. And not knowing who you are, could be one of the most chaotic, hence most painful realizations that you would ever face.

But the prize you could gain from passing this phase of chaos is tremendous.

You will experience a level of freedom and peace that you would not believe possible before. All the false illusions that kept you bound will drop like dead flies. And you will walk so much more lightly, happier and relaxed through this world, that your life today will feel like walking with a giant stone on your shoulder. It will be like you were Atlas, having the world on your shoulder and then someone came by and took it off of your shoulders and send you on an everlasting vacation.

Are you ready to drop the load and face the real truth?

Time to Get Into the Action Mode. 4 Steps to Rebuild Your Definition of Yourself.

1. Write Down Your Old Definitions

Write down whatever you would say "I am" to. What is your name, your gender, your job description, your hobbies, your likes and dislikes, your fears, addictions, and everything that you believe adds up to what you now perceive as being you.

Example: Write down: "I am:"

  • a male

  • 43

  • single

  • a smoker

  • poor in sports, math

  • afraid of spiders

  • weak in approaching women

  • etc.

2. Use Doubt For each label ask yourself:

"Is that really who I am? Or is it just a definition, a label I have accepted until now?"

Use doubt here creatively.

3. Find out, Whether It Is Beneficial

If you accepted it as a label, ask yourself, is this label, this definition beneficial for my further growth or not? Listen to your gut feeling. You know the answer deep inside. Learn to trust that intuition in your gut.

4. Create an Alternative Definition

If it is not beneficial, come up with an alternative definition, that would excel your growth instead of keeping you down. Instead of "a smoker" you might call yourself "Smoking habit conqueror"; instead of "weak in approaching women" you might call yourself a "relaxed guy with women".

Say to yourself: "Up to this day I have been a ...insert your old label. From now on, I am ... insert your new label.

So you might say "Up to this day I have been a smoker. From now on, I am a Smoking Habit Conqueror"

At first, this process will feel a bit like cheating. But stick with it for at least 30 days. Refuse to accept your old definition, and although you might at first feel like a fake, repeat your new definition to yourself. After a maximum of 30 days, your subconscious has accepted the new definition as "real" and will be using this new definition on auto-pilot.

This part of you will be reborn. Then you are free to go with another redefinition.