By A. Mayura Athukorala, JadeTimes News
What is the Biggest Question?
One of the Biggest Challenges in Life is asking the question, "Who am I?" This isn't just a random thought. it's a deep and important question that goes to the heart of who we truly are. Most people go through life without stopping to think about this question. They move from one day to the next, focusing on work, family, and daily tasks, without ever really considering their true identity. But at some point in life, this question will likely come up. For me, it took 20 years to finally ask myself, "Who am I?" But when I did, I realized that this question was more important than anything else. The moment you start asking yourself who you are, it means you’ve already experienced many things that have prepared you for this. It's like you've been on a long journey, facing ups and downs, and now you’re ready to understand yourself better. Without this maturity of mind, you might miss the chance to explore who you really are. This understanding is key to finding your true self.
To understand this better, think of life as a swing. When you swing up high, everything seems clear and easy, but it's when you reach the bottom of the swing, the lowest point, that things get more difficult and important. This low point is where big changes can happen in your life. It’s at these moments, when things feel tough, that you might start asking yourself the important questions, like, "What is the purpose of my life?" and "Who am I?" These moments are crucial because they push you to think more deeply about your life and what really matters. When you start thinking about these questions, it’s a sign that you’re ready to discover something new about yourself. This process is a turning point, a moment where your life can take a new direction. Have you ever asked yourself, "Who am I, really?" It's a question that goes beyond the roles you play in life. You might think of yourself as a father, a mother, a friend, or a worker. But these roles depend on your relationships and the situations you're in. You’re a father because you have a child. You’re a worker because you have a job. These roles are all based on something outside of you. But if you take these away, who are you? This is the heart of the question. Without knowing the answer, you might keep taking on new roles and identities, moving further away from your true self. All the struggles and confusion in life often come from not knowing who you really are. Until you figure out your true self, you’ll keep thinking of yourself as the name or the role others have given you. But the truth is, discovering your true self is the foundation of a truly meaningful life. When you find the answer to "Who am I?" everything else in life starts to make more sense.
A Story Towards The Question
There was once a wise Zen master who lived in a small village. One day, a wealthy and accomplished scholar visited the master, eager to learn about Zen and discover the deeper truths of life. The scholar, full of pride in his knowledge, began to speak of all the things he had learned, listing his many achievements. The Zen master listened patiently, then quietly asked, "Would you like some tea?" The scholar nodded, and the master began to pour tea into the scholar’s cup. The cup filled quickly, but the master kept pouring, and soon the tea overflowed, spilling onto the table and the floor. The scholar, surprised, exclaimed, "Stop! The cup is full! It can’t hold any more tea!"
The Zen master smiled and calmly replied, "Just like this cup, you are full of your own ideas and preconceptions. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?" This story illustrates a profound truth about self-discovery. To truly understand who we are, we must first empty our minds of the roles, labels, and identities that we have accumulated over time. Only when we let go of these external definitions can we begin to see our true self clearly. Just as the scholar had to empty his cup to receive new tea, we must empty ourselves of preconceived notions to discover the essence of who we are. In the quiet and stillness of an empty mind, the answer to "Who am I?" begins to emerge.
The journey to discover who we truly are is not a straightforward path, but it is one of the most important endeavors we can undertake. By asking the question, "Who am I?" we start a process of peeling away the layers of roles, labels, and identities that have been placed upon us by others and ourselves. It's a journey that requires us to empty our minds, to let go of preconceived notions, and to embrace the unknown. Like the scholar in the Zen story, we must approach this journey with humility and openness, ready to learn and grow. The answer to "Who am I?" may not come easily, but as we continue to explore and reflect, we move closer to understanding our true self. This understanding is the key to a meaningful life, where we can live authentically and with a deeper sense of purpose. In the end, discovering who we are is not just about finding answers, but about embracing the journey and allowing it to shape us into the person we are meant to be.
Without wasting Time, just Imagine: Who are you?
