I am not my physical body, as I know once my body dies nobody wants to touch it.
- Adi Shankaracharya in
I am not my mind as I know whenever I am in trouble the mind asks the heart for help.
- Deepak Chopra in Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
I am my consciousness which is residing in the core of my heart
- Svetasvatara Upanisad 5.8
This consciousness is nothing but a web of energized information situated in the void (Chandogya Upanishad Chapter XII - the Birth of the Gross from the Subtle) which is timeless, has no beginning, no end, weapons cannot cut it, air cannot dry it, water cannot wet it and fire cannot burn it (Bhagwad Gita 2.23, 24).
Each one of us has a physical profile (as defined by our height, complexion, collar number, waist size, etc.) and has a mental or ego profile. A few of the examples of ego profile are my bank balance, my car, my job title, my locality of residence, the build of my house, my contacts, my power, my clothes, etc.
Similarly each one of us also has a soul profile. We should give sometime to ourselves in knowing our soul profile and revisit it at-least once in a week.
According to Deepak Chopra to know the soul profile one should ask seven questions to his or her consciousness sitting in a meditative pose or in state of relaxation. The answer to each question should be in either three words or three phrases.
1. What is my purpose of life?
2. What is my contribution going to be for my friends and family?
3. Three instances in my life when I had my peak experiences?
4. Name of three people who inspire me the most?
5. Three qualities which I admire in others the most?
6. Three of my unique talents?
7. Three qualities I best express in my relationship.
These twenty one answers will characterize the soul profile or will be your passport for every action you perform in your life. In day to day's life one should act from the soul profile and not from ego profile. Soul profile cannot be manipulated while the ego profile can be.
{{/usCountry}}These twenty one answers will characterize the soul profile or will be your passport for every action you perform in your life. In day to day's life one should act from the soul profile and not from ego profile. Soul profile cannot be manipulated while the ego profile can be.
{{/usCountry}}There are only three ways of improving one's soul profile and these are: The choices one makes should be soul profile oriented and not ego profile oriented. When ever there is an opportunity for an action, ask the head for choices, now ask the heart to choose one and finally order the hand to take action. A soul based action is the one which is based on the truth, is necessary and which makes the person and the people around him or her both happy.
Total clarity of vision of "What do I want" and also "What I don't want".
Learn to enter into discontinuity using "beej mantra" or doing primordial sound meditation 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening.
These can also be equated to the eight limbs of yoga sutras of patanjali. Where the "choices I make" indicates Yama and Niyama, "what do I want" indicates Dharna and the "enter into discontinuity" indicate Dhayana and Samadhi.
(The writer is a sernior Physician, Head Department of Cardiology and Deputy Dean Board of Medical Education-Moolchand Hospital, President-Heart Care Foundation of India, President Elect-Delhi Medical Association and Member-Delhi Medical Council.)