The physical body is made up of countless numbers of tiny material particles called molecules and atoms. These material particles are constantly being replaced by material particles from the outside environment (in the form of food, water, air, and so on). Over a period of five to seven years, this process of metabolism brings about a complete change of the matter that makes up your body.

~ Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa (Chris Butler)
© 2007 Science of Identity Foundation

You can eat so much food that your belly aches—yet you still want more! Even though your belly is filled to the point of physical pain, you, the self, are not full; you still desire to consume more. The fact that the body can be full or satisfied while you still feel empty is evidence that the body is not you.

~ Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa (Chris Butler)
© 2007 Science of Identity Foundation

Animals eat and humans eat. Animals sleep and humans sleep. Animals mate and humans mate. Animals defend and fight and so do humans. But human beings also possess the faculty for enquiring into and understanding the Absolute Truth. Humans have a faculty for spiritual growth. Humans can ask, "Who am I? What is the purpose of my existence?" If we utilize this faculty for spiritual realization then we are truly human beings. If we don't, if we simply concern ourselves with eating, sleeping, sex and fighting, then are we not human in name only?

It is natural for us to want to be happy, satisfied, and free. But due to ignorance of our true identity, our natural longing becomes misdirected and leads to further bondage and unhappiness.
Science of Identity Foundation - Siddhaswarupananda

The question "Who am I?" is not a philosophical football meant to be kicked around coffeehouses by pseudointellectuals. It's a real-life question. Nothing is more important and more relevant than to know who you are.

"Without respect for people of different races or ethnicities or religions, how can we have a peaceful and harmonious society or world? And without a harmonious society, how can there be the necessary economic development and atmosphere conducive to spiritual happiness and self-realization?"

We all want freedom, but real freedom is possible only if we understand our true identity.

Awareness is your natural attribute—indeed, your essence—that makes this witnessing and observing possible. As such, awareness cannot be separated from you, the self.