In a world of constant flux and profound challenges, the seemingly simple directive to «be yourself» has transformed from a naive slogan into a revolutionary act. For many, particularly for Ukrainians facing the darkest nights, it is a deeply personal journey, a vital inner choice, and perhaps the most important mission in life.
What if Everything is Simpler Than it Seems?
The modern world often compels us to adapt, defend, prove, and merely survive. It’s easy to get lost in roles, in the demands of daily life, or in the struggle to «keep face». Yet, the answer to being yourself is wonderfully paradoxical: it’s not about clinging to a static image or «standing your ground».
Instead, it’s about embracing fluidity, allowing yourself to «flow», «change», and «open up». To be yourself means to truly «live», not just exist, letting life move through you without the futile attempt to control or rewrite it.
«Let’s Start with the Truth: You’re Already Not Bad»
The Indian sage Ramesh Balsekar once offered a profoundly liberating insight that challenges our ingrained notions of self-improvement:
«You are already who you should be. Everything that happens is the will of the Divine. Let go of the idea of control».
Ramesh Balsekar, A Net of Jewels, 1996
For those accustomed to endless self-work, striving for perfection, and reaching ambitious goals, this can feel like a jolt. How can one be «enough» when there’s so much more to achieve? However, Balsekar is not advocating for laziness or apathy. His message is one of «liberation» from the pervasive illusion of inadequacy. He asserts that our true nature is inherently perfect, and all that’s required is to «see it».
«Who is This ‘Me’»?
When we say «be yourself», our minds often conjure an image: a collection of traits, habits, and beliefs — a psychological passport, a comfortable mask. But this is not the true «you». This is «your story».
You are not merely a collection of roles: «lawyer, volunteer, mother, emigrant». Nor are you defined by labels like «strong» or «vulnerable».
You are the «witness» who experiences all these facets of life. As J. Krishnamurti wisely stated:
«Freedom is when you observe without judgment»
J. Krishnamurti, Freedom from the Known, 1969
Therefore, being yourself isn’t about constructing a perfect self, but about «seeing», «feeling», and «not interfering with being yourself».
«There is No Silence Inside. There is Life Inside.»
When you consciously choose silence — free from phones, tasks, and television — what remains? We often assume silence brings peace, but upon truly entering it, we discover a vibrant «life bubbling inside». Thoughts, desires, memories, and worries rise like effervescent bubbles from the depths. And at the core of many of these are «desires».
Desires: Enemy or Clue?
Many spiritual traditions view desires as the root of suffering, asserting that they cause attachment, endless striving, and inevitable disappointment. However, let’s explore an alternative perspective.
Desire is not merely a whim; it is the «movement of life» within us. It’s a signal: «I want to connect with something». It’s an innate call to expand, to experience fullness, and to return to our source. Even in material desires — for a home, recognition, or love — there’s a deeper impulse: «to be full», to be in the flow. Desire is the delicate thread connecting our human form to the «Divine Impulse to grow».
As Ramesh Balsekar noted:
«True desire does not come from the mind. It is from the Source. The mind only formulates, distorts, and labels»
Ramesh Balsekar, Who Cares?!, 2001
But How Do You Know Where the Real Desire Is and Where the Illusion Is?
The answer is surprisingly simple. Real desire «does not create tension». It doesn’t drive or compel; instead, it expands naturally, like a breath.
False desire, conversely, buzzes with urgency, demands gratification, and often leads to suffering. It’s rooted in fear: «If I don’t succeed, I’m nobody». This is not the authentic voice of the heart, but a program of the mind.
Therefore, being yourself means «listening to desires», but not blindly chasing them. Look to their root. Ask, «What am I really looking for?». Perhaps not a car, or glory, or control, but intimacy, peace, joy, or simply the space to authentically be yourself?
You’re Not Your Own Story. You Are a Living Experience.
Every day, society conditions us to be «someone»: an exemplary citizen, a successful immigrant, a patriot, a professional, a good parent. And we play these roles, often with honesty and dedication.
Yet, amidst all these roles, «there is you». The real you. And being yourself isn’t about ignoring these roles, but remembering that you are «not reduced» to them. Your depth extends beyond your biography. You are not your resume, your social media profile, or the opinions of others. You are «life experiencing itself». Like the ocean, which can be stormy, serene, and infinitely deep, but always remains the ocean.
Being Yourself Doesn’t Mean Being Perfect.
We often believe that true self-acceptance will only come when we eliminate mistakes, overcome anxieties, achieve financial success, or resolve all our life’s dilemmas. But you already are. You are already alive. You can already feel. And that means you already deserve to be yourself.
To be yourself means not being afraid to be «awkward», «vulnerable», or fully «alive». This is the strongest stance, because it is profoundly honest.
Not to Correct Yourself, But to Love
This doesn’t imply «staying in your comfort zone». Instead, it means not «correcting» yourself out of fear. It means «exploring» yourself out of love.
Allow yourself to «be weird», «be quiet», «be bright», or «not be according to plan». Do this not for someone else, but for your own sake. For the sake of the life that yearns to be lived «inside you», not confined to a perfect, external picture.
Acceptance is Not Surrender. This is Wisdom.
Ramesh Balsekar further emphasized:
«Surrender is not passivity. It is an active acceptance of what is already there. This is the wisdom of the heart»
Ramesh Balsekar, Peace and Harmony in Daily Living, 2006
In a world that constantly demands control, the act of letting go and accepting yourself for who you are is a profound act of courage. This does not mean «doing nothing». It means «to act not out of fear», but out of «clarity». When actions stem from clarity, they become pure, and all desires become a pathway home.
For Ukrainians Today This is Not Just a Philosophy
For Ukrainians, this concept transcends philosophy; it is survival. It is about saving oneself, one’s soul, and one’s light. It means resisting anger, avoiding self-imprisonment, and not losing touch with the essence of living. To remain «real» within oneself — not embittered, not hardened — is a testament to resilience.
Being yourself means remembering that you are more than a participant in a war, a refugee, or an activist. You are a «living person», with morning tea, your favorite song, your memories, and your own silence.
And Finally: Being Yourself is a Mission
This is not selfishness; it is the «service of life». Because an authentic person — lively, honest, open — naturally becomes a «pillar» for others. They don’t preach; they simply «shine».
Such a person may not save the world, but they certainly do not add pain to it. And this, in itself, is an enormous contribution.
So be yourself.
Now. Not later.
With all the feelings, mistakes, joy, fears.
Let yourself be.
This is the Light.
This is Divine.
This is freedom.
Vladimir Koshevoy, Miami, Florida
