How much of our life is circumscribed by who we are and where we are! Who we are--more accurately, who we think we are--and where we are determine our relationships, our attitudes, and our behavior patterns.
We change when our identities change (such as in dreams or in distinct social groups in which move) or when our locations change (home, workplace, vacation spots). Our identities and our locations are often interconnected. Our “world” is really a collection of all of our identities and all of the locations in which we move, physically or mentally.
It is important to step back from these multiple identities and locations now and then, so we can have the space, the quiet, the luxury, and the time to explore what our real identity is.
When we discover this real identity, we will find that it is independent of all locations, relationships, and attitudes. Every place, then, will be the right place to be in. Every relationship will be the right way to connect. Every attitude will be the right way to live. Our real identity will guide us every moment and every step of the way.
Our real identity is the Ātman.
Thoughts and insights that emerge from the discussions, study, reflection, and practice of Vedanta in the spiritual community of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Society in Boston, USA, which is a branch of the Ramakrishna Order.
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