Tips for Self-Discovery

STORY & PHOTOS BY EMILY CAIN

American psychologist Dr. Richard Alpert, also known as Ram Dass, was a renowned spiritual leader. Ram Dass taught, “I can do nothing for you but work on myself … you can do nothing for me but work on yourself.” These words changed my perspective on self-discovery. It is essential to see that fully knowing yourself is a tool that transforms you in ways that shine through to the world around you. But of course, doing so is not easy.

For many, the years spent in college double as a period to grow both intellectually and spiritually. Settling into young adulthood often means attempting to pin down who you really are: a daunting existential task. This self-discovery means exploring the depths of yourself in an attempt to better understand the complexities of your own emotions, values, and potential. Although defining your individuality will put you on a completely individual path, there are a few tips to lead you in the right direction.

Meditation1

Meditation is a dedicated moment of mindfulness during which one enters a state of nonjudgmental observation of their thoughts, emotions and other sensations.

Ashley Torres, co-president of CSULB’s Musical Meditation Club, firmly believes in the introspective value meditation holds.

“The journey of self-discovery is a long one that takes plenty of patience,” Torres said. “Meditation gives students the ability to learn better coping skills in navigating their life and also helps them in going deeper into themselves.”

Not only does meditation provide a means of motivation to push through inevitable challenges, but it can also offer an artillery of multifaceted skills.

Despite this, meditation can be intimidating, and it is often misconstrued. Torres clarified that a completely clear mind is surprisingly difficult to achieve. When going into your first meditation session, an open mind is more valuable than a clear one; complete clarity does not have to be your sole intention. In fact, for a successful first-time session, Torres suggests paying very close attention to your thoughts.

“Observe your thoughts and let them go,” Torres said. “Have a journal for your thoughts that want to rage to help your focus.”

A journal acts as a place to release the thoughts that do not seem to flee — putting your feelings onto paper forces you to deconstruct them enough to make the abstract tangible. This translation of thoughts to words often allows for a more concrete understanding of them, which can lead to a better understanding of yourself overall.

Journaling comes in many forms: stream-of-consciousness writing, answering prompts, gratuity journaling and more — each with its own benefits. Finding the time for these various kinds of journaling will result in a simultaneous analysis and exploration of your mind.

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