Dr. Leahcim Semaj
Psychologist | Author | Speaker | Workshops | Management Consultant | Spiritual Guide | Social Philosopher
The ancient sages, modern philosophers, and contemporary scientists have all wrestled with the same fundamental question: Who am I? At different times, we’ve been taught that we are our bodies, our thoughts, our spirits, or some combination of these. But which of these, if any, truly defines the essence of who we are? Can you work with Beenie man’s answer?
Let us explore this from three primary dimensions: Body, Consciousness, and Spirit.
What Exactly Comprises Your Body?
The human body is a marvel of biological engineering. It is composed of approximately 37.2 trillion cells, which are themselves made up of atoms—carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus being the most abundant. These atoms are the same materials found throughout the universe. In fact, more than 90% of the human body is made of just four elements: oxygen (65%), carbon (18.5%), hydrogen (9.5%), and nitrogen (3.3%).
But the body is more than just its parts. It is an organized, living system. From the circulatory system to the nervous system, from bones to blood, from skin to synapses—your body is the physical vessel that interacts with the material world.
Yet, this vessel is temporary.
What Happens When the Body Dies?
At death, the body begins to break down. The systems that sustained life shut down one by one. Blood stops circulating, the brain ceases to function, and the cells begin to decay. The body returns to the earth, decomposing into the same elements from which it was formed.
But while the body dies, something curious remains in the collective human experience: the sense that something else—something deeper—may persist.
What is Consciousness?
Consciousness is the faculty that allows you to experience the world. It is the awareness of your thoughts, your emotions, your environment, and yourself. It is not visible, not measurable in the traditional physical sense, and yet it is the most intimate and undeniable aspect of your existence.
Despite technological advancements, science still cannot fully explain consciousness. Where does it reside? Is it a byproduct of brain activity? Or does it exist independently of the brain—merely using it as an instrument?
Many traditions suggest that consciousness is not produced by the brain, but rather channeled through it, much like a radio picks up signals from the air.
“Living as if we are mortal is the choice most people now make — for practical purposes, they live as if nothing existed before birth and nothing is likely to exist after death. Yet there is another choice rarely discussed, which one might call practical immortality. It rests upon a simple but life-changing decision anyone can make: the decision to identify with consciousness.” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/let-single-choice-change-your-life-deepak-chopra-md-official–h2kcc/
What is Spirit?
Spirit is often used interchangeably with “soul,” but in many traditions, it refers to the eternal, unchanging core of your being. Unlike consciousness, which can fluctuate (as in sleep or coma), Spirit is considered immutable.
The Spirit is not bound by the body, nor is it confined to the limitations of the mind. It is the essence that is connected to something greater—what some call the Divine, the Source, or the Universe.
Spirit is not something you possess; it is who you are at the deepest level.
So, Who Are You?
You are not just your body. That is your vehicle for navigating the physical world.
You are not just your thoughts or emotions. Those are your experiences of the world.
You are not even just your consciousness. That is your window to the world.
You are Spirit—eternal, expansive, beyond birth and death.
You are the silent witness behind your thoughts.
You are the awareness that observes without judgment.
You are the presence that remains when everything else fades.
Best Answers to the Question: “Who Are You?”
Depending on your perspective, several truths can coexist:
Scientifically, you are a complex organism made of stardust, evolving over billions of years.
Psychologically, you are a personality shaped by genetics, experiences, and environment.
Spiritually, you are an eternal being having a temporary human experience.
But perhaps the most liberating answer is:
I am not the body. I am not the mind. I am the witnessing presence—Spirit. I am.
And that is enough.
A Note to My Readers
I write not to convince or convert, but simply to share insights gained from years of observation, study, and experience. What I offer here are perspectives — reflections meant to inspire thought, not debates.
If my words resonate with you, I welcome that. If they do not, I invite you to simply take what serves you and leave the rest.
My consultation sessions are quite different. They are sacred spaces where I partner with individuals who are seeking clarity, transformation, and growth in their own lives. If that is what you desire, I would be honored to assist you.
Until then, may you continue your journey with curiosity and grace.
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Dr. Leahcim Semaj
Psychologist | Author | Speaker | Workshops | Management Consultant | Spiritual Guide | Social Philosopher
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