Revealing the True Identity (Part 2)

In Part 1, we have seen how we create false identities for ourselves, as a result of which, we become incapable of realizing our true identity.

Before going further, I would like to build some rough idea of what a true identity is. A true identity is that which cannot be proved false. No play of words. Suppose X is an identity, if by some means I can show that X is false, then, X cannot be my true identity. Logical enough I guess. X becomes true, if only I cannot show that it false.

With this, let me bring in the character of Jonathan Livingston Seagull into the discussion. Jonathan, unlike other seagulls, was not interested in living like the other seagulls. He found hunting for fish very boring and mundane. He refused to accept that he was a mere seagull, whose life is to just hunt for fish. He refused to accept that as a seagull, he cannot fly high. In short, he refused to identify himself as a seagull. Had he accepted himself to be a seagull, he would have adhered to his community rules. He would have believed that he was just a seagull, and he cannot become great in flight. This denial of what one thinks one is, the denial of what one is conditioned to believe one is, are essential for growth. It was this denial along with the belief that there is a possibility of a higher level of existence that made Jonathan strive for what was thought to be impossible. Watch the two important components: Denial of what we think we are, and belief in the possibility of a higher level of existence.

Richard Bach begins the book with these words: “To the real Jonathan Seagull, who lives within us all.” It’s simple, plain, and clear. It is for each one of us to discover the Jonathan Seagull in each one of us. It is for each one of us to find out what possible higher level of existence can we achieve, for which, we need to believe that there indeed is a higher level of existence. To move closer to realizing that higher level of existence, we need to deny our current identity. Else, we are going to be stuck.

We often say, “I want to be accepted as I am”, or “I want to be recognized for what I am”. Do you see how dangerous it is for us to carry such an attitude? When we have such an attitude, we have not only accepted ourselves to be what we think we are, but also expect others to accept that identity which we have created for ourselves. Even if we have an iota of inclination to explore and find out if indeed there is a higher level of existence, we should not be doing this grave injustice to ourselves.

Now, in the story, what is the true nature of Jonathan? What is his real identity? Can anyone pinpoint to something and say that this is what Jonathan is? Think about it. If you have denied your ‘identity’ once, and become something else, will it not be possible for you to become something else again, and move into a still higher level? Is there going to be any stop to this process of continuously re-inventing oneself? What then is the true identity, if at every stage I can become more than what I already am? It is only logical to conclude that, there really is no ‘true identity’, which implies that any identity we have for ourselves is by default, a false one.

So, the moral of the whole story is that there really is no ‘true identity’, but there is always a different plane of existence. Life is only about discovering more and more of these planes, for which it is very important for us to not get stuck be creating in our minds an identity, which invariably is false.

P.S: Read the post titled “Who am I?” and see the connection for yourself.