Who Am I? How to Quiet the Inner Noise and Find Out
Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I?”
It’s such a simple question, yet so big that many of us spend our whole lives trying to answer it. Maybe you think you are your name, your job, your family, or even the things you own. But “Who am I?” goes much deeper than that.
There’s a beautiful line from the Golden Lotus Sutra, shared by Grand Master Choa Kok Sui in Beyond the Mind:
“Inner noise prevents you from knowing who you really are. Regulate your thoughts and emotions.”
This simple truth explains why we often struggle with the question “Who am I?”. The noise in our minds — all the restless thoughts and tangled emotions — hides the real answer.
Why Do We Get Lost in Labels?
From the time we are little, people give us labels — daughter, son, student, employee, father, mother. We also carry labels like our last name, the place we come from, or the groups we belong to.
Slowly, we start to believe this is all we are. Some people even think they are the house they live in, the car they drive, or the money they have. But deep down, all these things are temporary. They can change at any moment.
So, who am I really, if I am not my name, my job, my family, or my things?
The Inner Noise That Blocks the Answer
This is where that inner noise comes in. It’s the loud chatter in our heads that makes it hard to feel who we really are.
Every role, every label, every fear and doubt adds to this noise. For example:
- If you believe you must always be a “good student,” you may feel scared to fail.
- If you see yourself only as someone’s child, you may forget to see your own dreams.
- If you tie your worth to what you own, you may feel empty when it’s gone.
These thoughts and feelings pile up like static, covering your true self.
Finding Yourself Takes Time — Be Kind to Yourself
The Golden Lotus Sutra reminds us that to know ourselves, we first need to calm this noise by regulating our thoughts and emotions. This doesn’t mean you need to run away or become perfect overnight. Some say the journey to answer “Who am I?” can take lifetimes — so there’s no rush.
You can start with small steps. Notice your thoughts. Sit quietly for a few minutes each day. Let your emotions settle without reacting right away. When you do this, the noise slowly fades. And then, bit by bit, you begin to feel who you really are.
If you’d like help, check out our other blogs on developing inner peace and clarity
Think for yourself: How to break free from the heard mentality
Fasting for mental clarity: Free your mind, Feed your soul
Observe your thoughts and emotions – the path to clarity and calm
Self awareness and personal growth: the missing link in your reactions
How to control your mind: taming the monkey within
These blogs are full of simple ideas to help you find more peace within.
Take Your First Step Today
So, who am I?
You are not just your name, your roles, or your stuff. You are not the noise in your head. You are the quiet watcher beneath it all — calm, kind, and free.
Keep asking “Who am I?” — not to stress yourself out, but to remember that you are so much more than what the world sees. And every time you quiet your mind, you take one step closer to meeting your true self.
