Neti-Neti: A Simple Way to Understand What We Truly Are
- myNachiketa
- 8 hours ago
- 4 min read
Have you ever wondered, “Who am I really?” Am I just my name, my body, or my thoughts? The ancient sages of India asked this same question long ago. To answer it, they taught a special way called Neti-Neti. It’s a special idea from our ancient scriptures, especially the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad.
myNachiketa presents Neti-Neti: A Simple Way to Understand What We Truly Are.
To start, Neti-Neti means “not this, not that” in Sanskrit. It tells us that to find out who we truly are, we must first understand what we are not.
Imagine someone asks you:
Are you your clothes? No, because you can change them.
Are you your name? No, because your name is just a word that others use to call you. It can change. Some may call you by some name, and others may call you by a different name, but you remain the same inside.
Are you your body? No, because your body keeps changing as you grow.
Are you your thoughts? No, because sometimes they are happy, sometimes sad, and they keep moving like clouds.
By saying “Neti-Neti” - not this, not that, we slowly remove all the things we are not. What is left is something that never changes: our true self.
What is Brahman?
The Upanishads say that beyond all names, forms, and thoughts, there is Brahman, the infinite truth, the endless light, the one power in everything. When we practice Neti-Neti, we discover that our true self (Atman) is the same as Brahman. It is pure, peaceful, and full of joy.
Think of Brahman like the air we breathe. You cannot see the air, but it is all around us. It is in the trees, in the birds, in our lungs, and even in the breeze that cools our faces. No matter where you go, the same air is everywhere.
In the same way, Brahman is the one power that is everywhere, inside you, inside your friends, in animals, rivers, and mountains. When we practice Neti-Neti, we realize that we are a part of Brahman.
How Does Neti-Neti Work?
Let’s think of it this way: if you have a big chocolate cake in front of you, you don’t just eat the frosting with the cherry on top; you want to enjoy the whole cake! Similarly, to know yourself fully, we need to look at all parts of ourselves.
So, when we practice Neti-Neti, we can think in these steps:
Identify: First, look at what you may think is you. This could be your name, your hobbies, or even your feelings.
Negate: Next, say, “I am not just my name,” or “I am not just my hobbies. I am much more than these things".
Discover: Each time you say what you are not, you get closer to knowing your true self, what we call Brahman, which is the ultimate reality.
Buy our books to explore more inspiring stories and lessons for children
Shloka from Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
यत् तदेकं नान्यत् किञ्चित् तज्ज्ञेयं नित्यमेव।
न तत् किञ्चित्, न तत् किञ्चित्, न तत् किञ्चित् इति ॥
Yat tad ekam na anyat kinchit taj jneyam nityam eva.
Na tat kinchit, na tat kinchit, na tat kinchit iti
That which is one, beyond everything else, is to be known as eternal. It is not this, not that, not this...This shloka teaches us that to know our true self, we must understand what we are not.
Why is Knowing Yourself Important?
When we know who we truly are, life becomes more magical! Here’s how Neti-Neti benefits us:
Confidence: Knowing you’re beyond your mistakes makes you strong and confident.
Calmness: It helps you feel peaceful, even when things are tough.
Joy: You discover happiness in simply being!
For example, if you feel sad because you lost a game, remember that losing doesn’t define you. You’re still wonderfully you!
Fun Activity: Let’s Practice Neti-Neti Together!
Find a cozy spot to sit down and close your eyes.
Take a deep breath and think about something that makes you smile.
Now, ask yourself, “Am I just my favourite toy?” and shake your head “No!”
When you’re nervous about exams: “Am I this worry?” and shake your head "No!"
Keep asking with different things about yourself. It’s like a game of discovery!
When you finish, you’ll find you are much more than the things you thought defined you.
So, dear children, remember that Neti-Neti is a magical way of exploring ourselves! It helps us learn that we are part of a bigger picture filled with love and light. Keep discovering, keep smiling, and enjoy the journey to know your true self!
More such blogs
Resources
Comments