The Eagle And The Chicken

Who am I is a profound question explored by spiritual seekers and mystics. Am I my body, Am I my mind, or I am beyond my body and mind? We usually identify ourselves with body and mind. My true self, my authentic self, my essence is beyond body and mind. Sadly, as we grow up, our personalty is shaped by what the people close to us define our real and authentic selves by our looks, by our worldly possesions, our professions, prestige and power. Sadly we lose our authentic self, our true identity. The story of the eagle and the chicken narrated by Jamie Glenn is quite revealing: How the mighty and free eagle turns into a chicken, the eagle looking like a chicken and quacking like a chicken and becoming a chicken. Sadly a majority of people in different socities and cultures tend to define their members by the external apperances, ranks, money and power. No wonder, why such socities and cultures create materialistic, power and prestige hungry leaders. I was blessed to have parents in my life who lived authenically and provided good modeling. They played a significant role in shaping my authetic personality. Forming eagle-like authentic self is not easy for us as we have to depend on and rely upon significant people in our childhood. It requires courage and determination to sing my song and dance my dance, to be an eagle and not a chicken. Namaste! Jagdish P Dave