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Spirituality

Your Thoughts Are Not You: Discover the Silence That’s Always Been There

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Have you ever been stuck in a spiral of overthinking? One thought leads to another until your mind feels loud, chaotic, and exhausted. In those moments, it’s easy to believe that your thoughts define you. But here’s a profound truth that can completely shift your reality:

You are not your thoughts.

Thoughts arise, linger, and disappear—yet something in you stays constant. That something is the silent, still presence that watches the thoughts. And once you become aware of it, your entire experience of life can change.

Understanding the Nature of Thought

Thoughts are mental events. They are:

  • Temporary
  • Random
  • Often repetitive
  • Frequently shaped by fear, memory, or desire

They appear in your mind like clouds in the sky—passing by, changing form, never still.

Yet most people live as if they are inside the thought cloud—identified with every story the mind spins. They feel like the thinker. But thinking happens to you. It’s not what you are.

Just as you’re not the sounds you hear, you’re also not the thoughts you think. You’re the one hearing those thoughts.

The Power of Noticing the Silence

What happens when you stop identifying with your thoughts?

You begin to notice something extraordinary: a deep silence beneath the noise.

This silence is not the absence of sound. It’s the still awareness that exists whether the mind is busy or quiet. It’s always been there—you just haven’t been aware of it.

And the moment you discover it, a new kind of freedom emerges:

  • Thoughts still arise, but they don’t control you.
  • Emotions still come, but you don’t drown in them.
  • Life still unfolds, but you respond—not react.

Realizing You Are the Observer

Try this experiment:

  1. Sit still.
  2. Let your thoughts come and go.
  3. Instead of engaging, watch them.
  4. Ask yourself, “Who is noticing these thoughts?”

You won’t find a name or face. You’ll find presence—a silent awareness that simply sees.

This awareness doesn’t argue, doesn’t judge, doesn’t react. It just watches. And this watcher… is you.

The Mind Is a Tool—Not a Master

The mind is great at solving problems, planning, and creating. But it’s terrible at giving peace. Why?

Because peace isn’t found in thinking—it’s found in being.

When you constantly think, compare, analyze, and worry, you are lost in the tool, mistaking it for your identity. But when you become the observer, the mind becomes useful but secondary.

You take back the driver’s seat.

Daily Practice: Returning to the Silence

Here are three ways to stay rooted in the silence beyond thoughts:

1. Set an Anchor

Choose something physical—a breath, a sound, or the feeling of your body. Use it as an anchor to stay present when thoughts try to pull you away.

2. Name the Thought

When a thought appears, silently say, “thinking.” This helps you disidentify. It’s a thought—not you.

3. Sit in Stillness

Give yourself 5-10 minutes a day to do nothing. Just sit, breathe, and notice. Let the silence speak.

The Shift That Changes Everything

This isn’t about stopping thoughts. That’s not necessary or even possible.

It’s about realizing: you don’t have to follow every thought. You don’t have to believe every story. You are not the content—you are the awareness.

This realization is the gateway to:

  • Mental peace
  • Emotional balance
  • Deeper self-knowledge
  • True inner freedom

The silence is not empty. It’s full of clarity. Full of knowing. Full of the real you.

Final Insight: Silence Isn’t Something You Find—It’s What You Are

The noise of the mind comes and goes. But silence? It’s your original state. It’s always been here, beneath the thoughts, beneath the noise, beneath the identity.

You don’t need to fight your mind. You just need to remember the space beyond it.

And when you do… you’ll realize you’ve never been lost. You were always right here.

In the silence.

In yourself.

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Spirituality

The Ego Is a Lie: How Your False Identity Keeps You Stuck in Suffering

The-Ego-Is-a-Lie-How-Your-False-Identity-Keeps-You-Stuck-in-Suffering-spiritualstroll

If you’ve ever said, “I feel broken,” “I don’t know who I am anymore,” or “People don’t understand me,” you’re not alone. But here’s the truth few dare to confront: the “you” who suffers isn’t actually real.

What you’ve been calling “I” all this time—your name, personality, status, beliefs, and opinions—is not your true self. It’s a false self, a fragile construct made from memory, thought, and conditioning. It’s called the ego.

And the ego isn’t just inaccurate—it’s the very reason you suffer.

🧠 What Is the Ego?

The ego is your mental image of yourself. It includes:

  • Your name, nationality, and labels like “introvert,” “smart,” or “unlucky”
  • Your past experiences and traumas
  • Your social roles (student, employee, parent)
  • Your beliefs and opinions

It’s not inherently evil. The ego helps you function in society. But the problem begins when you mistake this temporary construct for your permanent self.

⚠️ The Trap: Believing the Ego Is You

Here’s where suffering begins:

  • When someone insults your opinion, you feel attacked—not because it hurts, but because you think you are your opinion.
  • When you fail at something, it crushes you—not because failure is fatal, but because you think you are your success.
  • When people reject you, it feels unbearable—not because rejection is harmful, but because you think you are your social image.

All of this pain stems from a false identification.

🪞 The Ego Is Made of Thought and Memory

The ego cannot exist in the present moment. It lives only in the past (memories, stories) and the future (imaginations, expectations).

Try this:

Sit still, close your eyes, and stop thinking for a few seconds.

Ask yourself: “Who am I if I don’t think about myself?”

You’ll notice something astonishing—you still exist, but there is no name, no past, no role. Just presence. Just being.

This is the crack in the ego’s illusion.

🧘 How to Break Free from the Ego

1. Observe, Don’t Identify

Thoughts will still arise. “I’m not good enough,” “They don’t respect me,” “I failed again.”
Instead of reacting, observe them like clouds passing. You’ll realize: “These thoughts are happening, but they are not me.”

2. Question the Identity

Ask: “Who told me this is who I am?”
Was it society? Parents? Culture? Memory?
Your true self is deeper than any mental image created by others.

3. Stay in the Now

The ego can’t survive in the present moment.
Practice mindfulness: breathe, listen, feel.
Be where you are—not in your head, but in your senses.

🔥 Why This Truth Is Liberating

When you stop identifying with the ego:

  • Criticism loses its sting—you no longer take it personally.
  • Fear diminishes—because there’s no “image” to protect.
  • Freedom arises—because nothing outside you can define you.

This doesn’t mean you erase your personality or stop playing roles in life. It means you play your role without becoming the role. You no longer act from egoic fear—but from clarity, love, and presence.

🌌 Final Realization: You Were Never the Ego

The ego says: “I am this body. I am these thoughts. I am what I have achieved.”

But your real self—the awareness behind all experience—says nothing. It simply is.

The moment you see this clearly, suffering begins to dissolve. Why? Because you stop defending a lie.

So the next time you feel hurt, rejected, anxious, or overwhelmed, don’t ask:
“What’s wrong with me?”
Ask:
“Who is this ‘me’ that’s suffering?”

That one question could be the beginning of your awakening.

Categories
Spirituality

You’re Not Who You Think You Are: The Truth About Your Real Identity Will Blow Your Mind!

You’re-Not-Who-You-Think-You-Are-The-Truth-About-Your-Real-Identity-Will-Blow-Your-Mind-spiritualstroll

Who are you—really?

Most of us would instinctively respond with something like: “I’m a teacher,” “I’m a parent,” “I’m this body,” or “I’m my thoughts.” But here’s the radical truth: you are none of those things. What we usually call our “self” is actually a bundle of temporary, ever-changing experiences—thoughts, emotions, memories, and body sensations—that we’ve wrongly identified with.

So if you are not your name, job, body, or even your thoughts… then who are you, truly?

Let’s explore a truth that’s not philosophical or religious, but based on direct self-inquiry and inner observation.

🧠 The Mind Is Not You

The mind is a powerful tool. But in daily life, we confuse its contents—like thoughts, ideas, fears, and judgments—as being us. This is the core illusion.

Think about it:

  • A thought arises: “I’m not good enough.”
  • You don’t just notice it—you become it.
  • That thought colors your emotions, behavior, and identity.

But if you can observe a thought, that means you are not the thought. You’re something deeper—the observer, the seer.

🧍‍♀️ You Are Not the Body

Your body changes continuously—from childhood to adulthood, through illness and aging. Every cell is replaced over time. Yet through all these changes, there’s a sense of “I” that remains consistent.

That’s because your true identity isn’t the body—it’s the awareness that’s aware of the body.

When you say “my hand,” it implies possession—you are the owner, not the hand itself. The same goes for “my mind,” “my thoughts,” “my body.” So… who is this “my”?

👁️ The Real You: Pure Awareness

If you’re not your body or your mind, then what remains?

What remains is awareness—the unchanging, silent witness behind every experience.

  • When thoughts come, you are aware.
  • When thoughts go, you are still aware.
  • When the body feels pain or pleasure, you are the one experiencing it.

This pure witnessing presence is not touched by the thoughts or the pain—it simply knows them. That witnessing is your real nature.

🔄 Why This Matters

You suffer because you identify with what you’re not:

  • You think you’re your failures or successes.
  • You think you’re your physical appearance.
  • You think you’re your mental chatter.

And so you swing between anxiety, pride, fear, and confusion.

But when you begin to see clearly that none of those are you—that you’re the awareness observing them all—you step into true freedom. A calm, silent space opens up within you, untouched by life’s chaos.

🧘 How to Begin Discovering Who You Truly Are

Here are 3 simple ways to begin self-inquiry and connect with your true self:

1. Observe Your Thoughts

Instead of getting carried away by thinking, pause and watch your thoughts like clouds passing in the sky. You’ll notice a space between you and them.

2. Ask: “Who is aware of this?”

When you feel angry, stressed, or happy—ask: Who is aware of this feeling? The answer isn’t verbal—it’s a felt sense of the observer.

3. Sit in Silence

No need to “do” anything. Just sit silently and notice what remains when thoughts come and go. That still presence is you.

🌌 Final Thought: Your True Self Is Always Here

You’ve spent your whole life believing you are your roles, your body, or your mind. But those are just layers. Beneath all of it, there is something that doesn’t change—the pure awareness that sees it all.

The beauty is, you don’t need to “become” this. You already are. You just need to stop identifying with what you’re not.

So, ask yourself—not with words, but with silence and sincerity: Who am I?

The answer isn’t something you can explain. It’s something you awaken to.

Categories
Spirituality

Unlock the Power of ‘Naam Jaap’: What You’ve Been Missing All Along!

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The Real Meaning of ‘Naam Jaap’: A Deeper Dive Into This Ancient Practice

In the realm of spiritual growth and self-awareness, few practices hold as much transformative power as Naam Jaap. At first glance, it may seem like a simple act of repeating a divine name, but its real meaning goes far beyond mechanical chanting.

If you’ve ever found yourself asking “What is the point of just repeating a word?”, you’re not alone. But here’s the truth—Naam Jaap is not about the word itself. It’s about what that word represents and the state of consciousness it can awaken within you.

What is Naam Jaap, Really?

Naam Jaap translates to “chanting of the name”—a name that signifies the divine, the absolute, the eternal truth. Traditionally, this involves repeating the name of a deity, such as Ram, Shiv, Waheguru, or simply Om.

But here’s the real kicker: it’s not about the syllables on your tongue. It’s about tuning your mind and soul to the frequency of peace, surrender, and awareness. The name acts as a tool to anchor your consciousness, drawing you away from the chaos of thoughts and into the stillness of the present moment.

Beyond Words: Naam Jaap as a State of Being

Naam Jaap transcends the boundaries of any single religion or language. It’s a universal key that opens the door to inner clarity and spiritual freedom. When done with awareness, it becomes less about repetition and more about realization.

Imagine you’re chanting, and slowly, the words dissolve. You’re not repeating the name anymore—you become the name. Your identity as a separate self fades, and all that remains is presence.

This captures the true essence of Naam Jaap:
✔ A gateway to silence
✔ A method to transcend the mind
✔ A practice that guides you back to your true self

Common Misconceptions

Many people misunderstand Naam Jaap as a religious ritual or a superstition. But in truth, it’s a deeply meditative practice when done mindfully.

❌ It’s not about how many times you chant.
✅ It’s about how present you are while chanting.

It’s not just another item on your spiritual checklist. It’s a practice to dissolve the very sense of doing—and enter the state of just being.

Why Naam Jaap Works

Modern science agrees that repetition can change the wiring of your brain. Naam Jaap, when combined with intention and awareness, has the power to:

  • Calm your nervous system
  • Shift your attention away from negative thinking
  • Enhance focus and mindfulness
  • Connect you with a deeper sense of self

Amidst the noise of the world, Naam Jaap offers a path to inner stillness. It’s the antidote to stress, overthinking, and spiritual disconnection.

How to Practice Naam Jaap Effectively

  1. Choose a Name That Resonates: It can be Om, Shiv, Ram, or even a word like Peace—what matters is the connection you feel.
  2. Set an Intention: Before you begin, align your heart with a purpose—peace, surrender, awareness, or divine connection.
  3. Chant with Awareness: Don’t rush. Go slow. Feel each vibration. Let the sound fill your being.
  4. Observe the Silence Between: The real magic of Naam Jaap often lies in the silence after the chant.
  5. Make It a Daily Practice: Even 5–10 minutes a day can create noticeable inner shifts.

Final Thoughts

Naam Jaap isn’t a ritual—it’s a revolution of awareness. It’s not rooted in religion, but in uncovering the deeper truth that transcends the mind. It’s not about saying the name; it’s about becoming the name.

The next time you sit down to chant, don’t just repeat—feel. Let go of effort. Let go of expectations. Let go of the idea that you’re doing something spiritual.

Just be.
That is the real Naam Jaap.

Categories
Spirituality

Let Go to Grow: The Hidden Power of Total Surrender (And How It Sets You Free!)

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🌿 Introduction: Why “Letting Go” Is the Hardest and Most Powerful Choice

In today’s hyper-driven world, we are taught to chase, control, and conquer. But what if real strength doesn’t lie in control—but in letting go? Total surrender isn’t weakness. It’s the ultimate act of courage, where you give up resistance and open the door to a deeper intelligence—life itself.

This post explores the profound spiritual practice of surrender—what it means, why it’s so transformative, and how it can set you free from anxiety, fear, and inner chaos.

🧘‍♀️ What Is Total Surrender?

Total surrender means complete acceptance of the present moment—without resistance, expectations, or mental stories. It is a state of deep trust in life, the universe, or a higher power.

It doesn’t mean giving up on life or becoming passive. Instead, it’s about surrendering the illusion that you are the sole doer. You let go of ego-based control and allow life to flow naturally, responding with awareness rather than reacting with fear.

🔁 The Ego Wants Control—But the Soul Seeks Peace

The human mind wants security, predictability, and control. This is the root of much suffering. We constantly resist what is, and that resistance creates inner turmoil.

Total surrender dissolves this friction. When you surrender:

  • You stop fighting reality.
  • You release emotional baggage.
  • You open to grace, intuition, and peace.

It is the death of the ego, not the death of action. You still work, love, and live—but without mental weight.

🌀 Signs You’re Not Surrendering (Yet)

You may be resisting surrender if:

  • You feel mentally exhausted or overwhelmed.
  • You constantly worry about the future.
  • You’re stuck in past regrets.
  • You try to control people, outcomes, or even your own emotions.

These are signs the ego is at the steering wheel. Surrender invites you to step back and let awareness lead.

✨ What Happens When You Truly Surrender?

The transformation is radical:

  • Peace replaces panic.
  • Stillness replaces struggle.
  • Flow replaces force.

You begin to feel supported by something beyond your own limited thinking. Solutions arise spontaneously. People and events align. Life becomes effortless, not because challenges vanish—but because resistance does.

🛤️ How to Practice Total Surrender in Daily Life

  1. Observe without reacting
    Pause before responding. Watch your thoughts without judgment.
  2. Accept what you can’t control
    Whether it’s traffic, illness, or rejection—let it be. Acceptance dissolves pain.
  3. Stay present
    Surrender isn’t about giving up your goals—but about releasing anxiety about how and when they happen.
  4. Let go of mental stories
    “This shouldn’t have happened.” “I’ll never succeed.” These are ego narratives. Surrender means dropping them.
  5. Trust life’s intelligence
    Call it the universe, God, or your higher self—something bigger than your mind is in charge.

🌺 The Paradox: When You Let Go, You Gain Everything

Total surrender is the most active kind of passivity. You no longer act from fear or ego—but from clarity and intuition. Your energy stops leaking into worry and control. Instead, it returns to you as creative power, joy, and freedom.

You finally realize: you were never in control—but you were always supported.

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🧭 Final Thought: Your True Power Begins Where Control Ends

Total surrender is not a one-time act. It’s a moment-to-moment choice—a shift in awareness. It invites you to live lightly, flow gracefully, and respond with wisdom.

It doesn’t mean life becomes easy, but it becomes lighter. You suffer less, smile more, and touch the truth of who you are beneath the noise.

Let go… not because you must, but because you finally understand—you’re not giving up anything that was truly yours.

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Philosophy Religion Science Spirituality

What is God? Does Science, Philosophy, or Faith Have the Answer?

What-is-God-Does-Science-Philosophy-or-Faith-Have-the-Answer-spiritualstroll

That’s a deep question, and the answer depends on how you approach it—philosophically, scientifically, theologically, or personally. Let’s break it down into different perspectives:

1. Religious Perspective

In most religious traditions, God is a supreme being or ultimate reality, often seen as the creator of the universe. The nature of God varies:

  • Monotheistic traditions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism): God is an all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present being who created and governs the universe.
  • Polytheistic traditions (Hinduism, Ancient Greek, Norse): Multiple gods exist, each governing different aspects of life (e.g., war, love, wisdom).
  • Pantheistic traditions (Taoism, some Hindu views): God is not a separate being but rather the universe itself—everything is divine.

2. Philosophical Perspective

Philosophers have debated the concept of God for millennia:

  • Plato & Aristotle: Argued for a “Prime Mover” or first cause, an uncaused being that set everything in motion.
  • Descartes: Believed that the very idea of a perfect being (God) proves God’s existence.
  • Nietzsche: Declared “God is dead,” arguing that belief in a traditional God was declining in modern society.

3. Scientific Perspective

Science doesn’t prove or disprove God but explores the origins of the universe through natural laws.

  • Big Bang Theory: Describes how the universe expanded from a singularity, but doesn’t explain what (if anything) caused it. Some see God as the force behind it.
  • Fine-Tuning Argument: The universe’s physical laws seem precisely tuned for life, leading some to argue for a designer.

4. Psychological Perspective

  • Carl Jung: Argued that God is an “archetype” in human consciousness, meaning the idea of God is a universal part of the human mind.
  • Human Need for Meaning: Some theories suggest belief in God fulfills a psychological need for purpose, security, and understanding.

5. Atheistic/Agnostic Perspective

  • Atheists: Reject the idea of a deity, often arguing that belief in God is based on human imagination or ancient explanations of the unknown.
  • Agnostics: Take a middle ground, believing that we can’t know for sure whether God exists or not.

Final Thought

“God” is a concept that has evolved with human civilization, shaped by culture, philosophy, and personal experience. Whether one sees God as a literal being, an abstract force, or a psychological construct, the idea continues to shape how people understand the universe and their place in it.

What’s your own perspective on God? Do any of these ideas resonate with you?

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Categories
Spirituality

What is the Real Meaning of Spirituality?

What-is-the-Real-Meaning-of-Spirituality-spiritual-stroll

Spirituality delves into the profound, exploring the meaning behind this concept. But what precisely is the concept of spirituality? To unravel this, we must understand what spirituality means and the essence of being spiritual.

A spiritual person embodies a unique perspective, but what does it truly mean to be spiritual? The journey toward a spiritual life unfolds as we explore and seek to comprehend this elusive realm.

For those questioning, “What is called spiritual?” the answer lies in the interconnected threads of life. If you ponder, “What it means to be spiritual,” you’re on the path of self-discovery and connection with the greater whole.

So, how does one embark on this transformative journey? To truly understand, you may ask, “How do I become spiritual?” The answers lie in the exploration, contemplation, and a genuine quest for spiritual enlightenment.

The path of self-discovery is synonymous with spirituality. When the fundamental question, “Who am I?” arises within, the journey of spirituality commences. Unlike traditional rituals or patterns, this expedition doesn’t prescribe a set course or a mentor to follow. Imagine understanding light; you don’t need a specific path or ritual to acknowledge its presence—it simply is. Similarly, the essence of understanding doesn’t hinge on rituals like meditation; they may serve as stepping stones, calming the mind, but aren’t intrinsically linked to spirituality.

Embarking on spirituality doesn’t necessitate adherence to rituals, especially if the mind is restless. Unlike those who consider meditation or yoga as the ultimate goal, true spirituality involves grasping the significance of the present moment and the self. There’s no age barrier to initiating a spiritual journey, but a receptive, curious, and open mind is crucial. Spirituality doesn’t demand following a guru or abandoning everything; it beckons those who seek deeper connections and explore dimensions beyond materialism.

Questioning your identity and peeling away layers signify the initiation of spirituality. Unveiling the reality beneath the self reveals the profound truth that surpasses any worldly illusion. This quest for self-awareness leads to genuine freedom—a rhythmic connection with the universe’s pulse. Spirituality is not a radical transformation but a revelation of the authentic self that has always existed and will persist. In the profound words of the Upanishads, “Tatva masi” encapsulates the essence—You are that, eternal and unbound.

Image Source: Pexels