Who Are You?

[SalixIncendium]

In Vedanta, or more specifically jnana yoga and Advaita Vedanta, there is a process called neti neti which is a Sanskrit term meaning 'not this, not this.' It is an analysis of what one truly is through the process of negation. In essence, anything one can observe is not who they are in their true nature. I can observe my breathing, therefore I am not my breathing. I can observe my thoughts, therefore I am not my thoughts. I can observe my body, therefore I am not my body. And so on.

In your simplest, most basic, and truest form, who are you?

 

[Daemon Sophic]

In Vedanta, there is a process called neti neti which is a Sanskrit term meaning 'not this, not this.' It is an analysis of what one truly is through the process of negation. In essence, anything one can observe is not who they are in their true nature. I can observe my breathing, therefore I am not my breathing. I can observe my thoughts, therefore I am not my thoughts. I can observe my body, therefore I am not my body. And so on.

In your simplest, most basic, and truest form, who are you?

?I am the neuro-electrical impulses that signify brainstem function?

 

[Rival]

A large force of imagination and immense will.

 

[Earthling]

In Vedanta, or more specifically jnana yoga and Advaita Vedanta, there is a process called neti neti which is a Sanskrit term meaning 'not this, not this.' It is an analysis of what one truly is through the process of negation. In essence, anything one can observe is not who they are in their true nature. I can observe my breathing, therefore I am not my breathing. I can observe my thoughts, therefore I am not my thoughts. I can observe my body, therefore I am not my body. And so on.

In your simplest, most basic, and truest form, who are you?

According to the process called neti neti apparently I'm not me because I can observe me. On the other hand I can't be someone else because . . . well, you get the picture . . . the picture you can observe so perhaps I'm not that as well.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I am that which can only be expressed by an outbreak of song.

 

[SalixIncendium]

According to the process called neti neti apparently I'm not me because I can observe me. On the other hand I can't be someone else because . . . well, you get the picture . . . the picture you can observe so perhaps I'm not that as well.

Who is “me?” Who is it that is doing the observing?

 

[atanu]

According to the process called neti neti apparently I'm not me because I can observe me.

That is wrong statement. You can observe your body, your limbs, your senses, your thoughts, your moods. Which of these is ‘me’?

 

[Vinayaka]

In Vedanta, or more specifically jnana yoga and Advaita Vedanta, there is a process called neti neti which is a Sanskrit term meaning 'not this, not this.' It is an analysis of what one truly is through the process of negation. In essence, anything one can observe is not who they are in their true nature. I can observe my breathing, therefore I am not my breathing. I can observe my thoughts, therefore I am not my thoughts. I can observe my body, therefore I am not my body. And so on.

In your simplest, most basic, and truest form, who are you?

That which is beyond mind, beyond body, beyond personality, beyond ego.

 

[Samana Johann]

who are you?

That's a question which should be laid aside, focus on be clear of what is not yours, no refuge. Papanca is main reason of suffering, Brahman SalixIncendium. Meanwhile: the effect of ones past and present action, or the carrier of the burden.

Selves & Not-self: The Buddhist Teaching on Anatta, might be very useful.

 

[BSM1]

Ha! Wouldn't you like to know....

 

[Jos]

That which is beyond mind, beyond body, beyond personality, beyond ego.

What's left if you beyond all of those?

 

[Samana Johann]

'not this, not this.

... is by the way a very good practice, but not going after just intelectual reasoning, abounding once it is clear seen.

 

[Vinayaka]

What's left if you beyond all of those?

In Hinduism, it's referred to as the Self. (capitalised) But it's not describable. Still it is the very core of you, and identical to Brahman in essence, supposedly. Has to be experienced mystically in order to be understood. That's very very rare.

 

[joe1776]

In Vedanta, or more specifically jnana yoga and Advaita Vedanta, there is a process called neti neti which is a Sanskrit term meaning 'not this, not this.' It is an analysis of what one truly is through the process of negation. In essence, anything one can observe is not who they are in their true nature. I can observe my breathing, therefore I am not my breathing. I can observe my thoughts, therefore I am not my thoughts. I can observe my body, therefore I am not my body. And so on.

In your simplest, most basic, and truest form, who are you?

If the neti neti process is valid, then clearly I am The Observer.

 

[SalixIncendium]

That's a question which should be laid aside, focus on be clear of what is not yours, no refuge. Papanca is main reason of suffering, Brahman SalixIncendium. Meanwhile: the effect of ones past and present action, or the carrier of the burden.

Selves & Not-self: The Buddhist Teaching on Anatta, might be very useful.

Perhaps laying the question aside works for your person, but there are those to which the answer to that question eradicates suffering.

I suppose it would be prudent to check local listings.

 

[SalixIncendium]

What's left if you beyond all of those?

That’s the question posed in the OP. I’m not sure that anyone can answer this question for you.

 

[Jos]

In Hinduism, it's referred to as the Self. (capitalised) But it's not describable. Still it is the very core of you, and identical to Brahman in essence, supposedly. Has to be experienced mystically in order to be understood. That's very very rare.

How can one experience this Self? Also, isn't it kinda strange that a person has to go through an experience in order to find their True Self?

 

[JJ50]

I am a member of the human species of animal.

 

[Jos]

I am a member of the human species of animal.

That leads to the big question no one can seem to answer, are humans just like other animals or are we a special type of creature who are different from other creatures? That question is so annoying since I see evidence in favour and against both ideas and it doesn't seem like there's a definitive answer either way.

 

[JJ50]

That leads to the big question no one can seem to answer, are humans just like other animals or are we a special type of creature who are different from other creatures? That question is so annoying since I see evidence in favour and against both ideas and it doesn't seem like there's a definitive answer either way.

I think humans are more evolved than other animals that is all.