This document discusses the nature of personal identity and how it relates to broader concepts of humanity. It argues that while initial identities like family, culture and nationality are important, as one gains awareness they must be able to rise above restrictive identities and see common bonds with all humanity. Sacrificing physical or sectarian interests for the benefit of mankind is a sign of growth. True self is realized not by denying identities but transcending limitations to identify with the interests of all people regardless of affiliations.

1. MARATHI
ASMITA
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. When I am born my first identity; of
which I am not even aware of is that of
my body! I do everything unknowingly
to survive. Subsequently, I begin to
identify myself with my mother, father,
family members, friends, nursery,
school, college, village, language,
culture, traditions and so on! Gradually I
start growing further and get awareness
of nationality and the world in which I
live.
It is important to note that one identity is
not contraposed to another, and I live
with these identities in harmony. Just as I
care for my body, so do I care for my
parents, family, friends, school, college,
spouse, children, society, village, region,
nation and world with an almost

3. automatically developed sense of
proportion.
However, the life is not always simple
and smooth!
As I begin to internalize the concept of
global unity or universal unity, the
actions against the “life” and “mankind”
start appearing as “sins”.
I begin to sacrifice my physical wants in
preference to these values I have learnt
and imbibed! This is how the process of
rising above the identities (not denying
them) begins!
In the same manner, I begin to rise above
my identity of family, if my family
member went against the interest of
mankind.

4. Not only this, I begin to rise above my
identities related to my traditions,
customs, rituals, religious practices, if
they go against the interests of the
mankind!
It is important to realize that this is a
process of unfolding of and manifesting
of the true self!
It is also important to realize that during
this process I do not become the enemy
of my body, family, institutions, village,
region, my culture, religion, traditions,
and my nation and so on!
I must understand that in as much it is
unnatural to deny my physical and
subsequent identities; it is antinatural to
try to confine myself in any one of these

5. identities and restrict my growth and
blossoming.
The leaders with restrictive identities
may attract me because; restrictive
concepts justify and pamper my sectarian
thinking, my mean selfishness, my petty
ego, and my disgruntlement and
dissatisfaction due to my own
drawbacks! Not only that I may get
enamored by some kind of chauvinism,
but I may get trapped in fanatic and
terrorist ideologies, which promote
varieties of such restrictive concepts, due
to my perverted sense of arrogance,
pride, jealousy, envy, and so on!
Today I am listening to the issue of
Marathi asmita everyday on TV.

6. I must understand that restricting my
identity to being Marathi creates a
conflict in my mind when it comes to
judging humane and inhuman acts. A
person committing inhuman acts; if is
Marathi and a person serving mankind
selflessly happens to be non-Marathi,
whom should I identify myself with?
Who should I consider as mine? Whom
should I accept, love and respect? This
holds true for other identities such as my
family, nation, religion and so on; as
well!
There is no denial whatsoever that I am
Marathi, but I am not merely Marathi!
I must understand that seekers of truth
involved in the blossoming of mankind;
whether belong to any of my restrictive
identities or not; are my soul mates! It is

7. said that one of the simplest ways of
realizing this is and blossoming with the
universe, is NAMSMARAN. It is up to
me however, whether to keep
blossoming together with the universe, or
get trapped in the restrictive identities
and throttle my soul!