Our ‘self’ is often defined by the multidisciplinary role that we have in our daily lives.We identify with our profession, relationships, achievements, failures, opinions, and even our social media profiles today. While these identities help us be a part of society, they can also become the reason for stress, insecurity, and comparison to others. When our sense of self depends entirely on external circumstances, every success makes us feel temporarily complete, and every setback leaves us feeling incomplete.Adi shankaracharya weighed in on this idea years ago and tells that lasting happiness does not come from constantly chasing validation or possessions, but from understanding who we truly are beneath the layers of personality and ego.
Quote of the day by Adi Shankaracharya (Photo: @kuchnahinaata/ X
Quote of the day
To be free from bondage the wise person must practise discrimination between One Self and the egoself. By that alone you will become full of joy recognising Self as Pure Being Consciousness and Bliss
Adi Shankaracharya
What does the quote mean?
This profound quote comes from the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta. The word “discrimination” here does not mean about judging people. Instead, it refers to viveka or the ability to distinguish between what is permanent and what is temporary, between our true Self (Atman) and the ego.According to Adi Shankaracharya, the ego is the identity we create through our body, mind, emotions, possessions, materialistic pursuits , and social status. And all these aspects always look for recognition, approval, and control somewhere or the other. When we mistake this ego for our real identity, we become trapped in fear, attachment, jealousy, pride, and disappointment. This is what he describes as “bondage.”
So what is the actual ‘one-self’
The “One-Self” or Atman, is our unchanging inner consciousness. In Advaita Vedanta, this Self is described as Sat-Chit-Ananda, or Pure Being (Sat), Pure Consciousness (Chit), and Bliss (Ananda). This bliss is not excitement or pleasure that depends on external events. It is an inner state of peace that remains steady regardless of life’s ups and downs.
