yogaś-citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ
tadā draṣṭuḥ svarūpe-'vasthānam
There is a particular definition of the word "identity" in the context of social science. Peter Weinreich, a psychologist at the University of Ulster, defines identity as "the totality of one's self-construal, in which how one construes oneself in the present expresses the continuity between how one construes oneself as one was in the past and how one construes oneself as one aspires to be in the future." Though one's identity can be shaped by outside forces, its development is fundamentally a function of the self. Furthermore, identity is dynamic. It is, in a sense, a narrative that we construct for ourselves from a disparate set of experiences to give meaning to our lives.
An important aspect of this identity lies at the intersection of ethnicity and nationality. Weinreich identifies himself with a hyphenated identity -- he is British-German. Being a product of two cultures may force one to confront questions of identity in ways that "non-hyphenated persons" do not. Sometimes that means having to reconcile values derived from the host and ancestral culture that may seem contradictory. By studying the hyphenated backgrounds that many minorities and first-generation immigrants identify with, Weinreich gained insight into the overall process of how identities are construed.
Many people at some point in their lives hold views or attitudes that are not internally consistent (Evangelical Christians and Communists may preach universal brotherhood, yet may feel averse to extending their sentiment to one another). Within a culture, how long can two ideas last when they are in opposition? Ideas of low "fitness" may be culled through some process of "cultural selection." In freer societies, some may become entrenched and reinforced in particular subcultures, like punk rockers and libertarians - as long as these views are reconcilable (or at least negotiable) with the more fundamental values of the "superculture." In time, the values of the individual and that of the broader society reach a sort of equilibrium. Individuals may hold views that are contradictory and not realize it, because in society-at-large there is no occasion for these ideas to come into conflict.
An important aspect of this identity lies at the intersection of ethnicity and nationality. Weinreich identifies himself with a hyphenated identity -- he is British-German. Being a product of two cultures may force one to confront questions of identity in ways that "non-hyphenated persons" do not. Sometimes that means having to reconcile values derived from the host and ancestral culture that may seem contradictory. By studying the hyphenated backgrounds that many minorities and first-generation immigrants identify with, Weinreich gained insight into the overall process of how identities are construed.
Many people at some point in their lives hold views or attitudes that are not internally consistent (Evangelical Christians and Communists may preach universal brotherhood, yet may feel averse to extending their sentiment to one another). Within a culture, how long can two ideas last when they are in opposition? Ideas of low "fitness" may be culled through some process of "cultural selection." In freer societies, some may become entrenched and reinforced in particular subcultures, like punk rockers and libertarians - as long as these views are reconcilable (or at least negotiable) with the more fundamental values of the "superculture." In time, the values of the individual and that of the broader society reach a sort of equilibrium. Individuals may hold views that are contradictory and not realize it, because in society-at-large there is no occasion for these ideas to come into conflict.
Reflecting on my hyphenated identity as an Indian-American, I sometimes feel I am more attuned to these moments of cognitive dissonance. Does being exposed to two cultures afford me the opportunity to remain detached from both? I certainly feel that I am more attuned to contradictions in the worldview of my elders and peers. But can I attribute my sensitivity to such contradictions my dual identity, or is it simply a quirk of personality, something inherent in my genetic makeup? Regardless, this hyper-awareness can be treated either as an obstacle, or an opportunity for growth.
I opened this post with verses two and three from Patanjali's yoga sutras: "Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. Then, the seer can abide in his own nature." Facing contradictions in one's worldview can challenge one's identity, limiting one's potential for self-knowledge. For example, a young man may be torn between his obligations to his family and to himself, especially when pursuing a goal. A father may be spending long hours at work at the expense of time at home. He works hard to earn a better salary so that he may provide his children with a good education, but the hours he spends away from home negatively impacts his relationship with family. "Am I doing the right thing?" he asks. "Where should I devote my time and energy in order to maximize utility?"
Whether through conscious effort or subtle coping mechanisms, we strive to build a core identity that accommodates all the roles we fulfill and allows us to feel whole. To an extent, the narrative we construct from our life experiences attempt to reconcile these conflicts at the periphery of ideas. Only by stilling these muddied waters can an unsettled, unfocused mind develop clarity and a uniform sense of self.
