Who Am I Beyond My Thoughts? | Yoga Nidra On Asmitā

Who are you when every role, every label, and every story is gently set aside?

This Yoga Nidra is inspired by Asmitā, the second of the five Kleshas described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Asmitā is our tendency to identify with our thoughts, emotions, memories, and roles, forgetting the quiet awareness that observes them all.

Through guided relaxation, breath awareness, and immersive visualization, this practice invites you to step back from the constant activity of the mind and rest in the stillness of the witnessing presence within. There is nothing to fix, nothing to become, and nowhere to go—only an opportunity to experience deep rest and remember who you are beyond the stories you tell yourself.

Suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners seeking clarity, inner peace, and a deeper connection with their true nature.

Transcript

Namaste. Welcome to this Yoga Nidra practice. Today we explore one of the five glaciers described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Glacier meaning Affliction. And the Glacier we explore today is Asmita. It's often translated as Ego Identity. Asmita is our tendency to mistake who we truly are for the many roles we play, The thoughts we think, The emotions we experience and the stories we tell ourselves. We become so identified with these changing aspects of our lives that we forget the quiet awareness that has been present through every experience. Rules. Adults are an important part of life. Rather, It is an invitation to discover. That they are expressions of who you are, Not the whole of who you are. During this Yoga Nidra, There is nothing you need to achieve, Nothing you need to prove, And no identity you need to maintain. For the next little while, You can set down every label you carry. You can simply rest, Observing thoughts, Sensations, And emotions as they arise and pass, Gently discovering the silent witness that remains unchanged beneath them all. So make yourself as comfortable as you can. Allow your body to be fully supported. Let this be a time of deep rest, Gentle inquiry and quiet remembrance. So get ready for Yoga Nidra. Lie down in Shavasana, The dead man's pose, Also known as the corpse pose. Lying flat on your back. Let your legs fall open. Your arms slightly away from the body with your palms facing upward. If you wish you could also do this practice sitting down, Keeping your spine upright but well supported. Your hands on your thighs or your knees with your palms facing upward. Take a moment to adjust so that the body feels supported. And gently close the eyes. Take a slow deep breath in and exhale slowly. Once again, Inhale. And exhale. And one more time. Inhale deeply. And release. Now allow the breath to return to its natural rhythm. Feel the weight of the body. Being held. Nothing to gather. Nothing to manage. For this time you can let go. Bring your awareness to the breath. Natural. Effortless. Notice the inhale. And the exhale. And gently observed. The breath. Is happening. And you are aware of it. There is breathing. And there is awareness of breathing. Rest Here. And now introduce a quiet resolve. An intention, A Sankalpa. Something simple. Something true. If no intention comes to mind, You can choose I am not limited to what I experience. Or I rest as awareness. Whatever your Sankalpa, Repeat it gently. Three times. Let it land. Now we move awareness through the body. Not thinking, Just noticing. We begin with the right side. Right Hand Thumb Index Pringle. Middle finger Ring finger. Littlefinger palm of the hand. Back of the hand. A list. For them. Elbow Apple arm. Shoulder. I'm bit. Right Waste. Right hip. Tie. Me. Cough. Ankle Heal. Soul. Top of the foot. The Big Dole? 2nd toe Todd. For Fifth. Now the left side. Left Hand Thumb Index Fingal Middle finger LING FINGERS Littlefinger Thumb of the hand. Back of the hand. Rest. For them. Elbow Apple, Um. . . Shoulder. Armpit. Left Waist Left hip. Tie. Knee golf Ankle. Heal. Soul. Top of the foot. Big Doe? 2nd Tool Third, Fold. Fifth. Now the back side of the body. The Right Shoulder Blade Left Shoulder Blade Upper back. Middleback. Lower back. Buttocks. Now the front side of the body, The abdomen. Navel Jest. Collarbone. Drool The Djinn Lower lip. Apple it. Right cheek. Left cheek. Nose Tip of the nose. Right Eye Left Eye Eyebrows for the head. Temples Top of the head. Back of the head. Feel the whole body. As one field. And notice. The body is being felt. And you are aware of it. Bring awareness to the breath. Feel it moving. From the navel to the truth. And from the throat back to the navel. Navel to throat. And truth to navel. A gentle wave. Now imagine the breath flowing. From the eyebrow center to the back of the head. And back again. Eyebrows center to the back of the head. And back again. Sutton Effortless. And notice, Even this is being observed. Now bring awareness to the sense of I. The feeling of me. Without analyzing, Just sensing. Now gently notice. A role you play in your life. See it. Feel it. Notice how it shapes your posture. Your energy. And gently ask. Is this who I am? Or something I experience. Let it go. Now bring awareness to a thought. You often have about yourself. A thought you often have about yourself. A label. A belief. See it clearly. And again. Ask softly. Is this me? Or something I am aware of. Let it dissolve. And now imagine you are standing. In a quiet, Open zoom. You are surrounded by mirrors. Each middle reflects a version of you. One mirror shows your roles. Another. Your past. Another. Your thoughts. Another Your Fears another your strengths. Each mirror reflects a version of you. Walk slowly. Toward One Middle. Stand in front of it. Notice the identity it reflects. Feel how familiar it is. How convincing. And gently. Take One Step Back. As you step back the reflection softens. Loses its intensity. Now turn and see all the mirrors at once. All the identities. All the versions. See all the mirrors at once. And notice. You are not inside the mirrors. You are the one. Looking at them. Now one by one, The mirrors begin to dissolve. NOT BREAKING. Not disappearing forcefully, Just fading. Until all that remains is open space. Awareness Now let go of all images. Become aware of thoughts. Arising. Passing, Become aware of thoughts. Sensations, Become aware of sensation. Coming. . . Going. Sensations. Emotions. Shifting Become aware of any emotions. And even the sense of I. Appearing. And dissolving. And gently rest as the Sakshi. The wetness. You are not what appears. You are that which knows. Now is the time to repeat your Sankalpa, Your intention, Your dissolve. The same one that you made at the beginning of the practice. Repeat it softly three times with complete feeling and awareness. Let it settle. And bring awareness back. Do the bread. The inhale. Exhale. Bring awareness back to the body. Deepen the breath. Gently. Become aware of the space you are practicing Yoga Nidra in. Start making small movements. To the fingers. To the tools. Stretch if it feels natural. And when you are sure you are wide awake. Slowly. Gently. Allow the eyes to open. You are not the roles that you play. You are not the thoughts that you think. You are not the stories you carry. You are the one. Who is aware. The practice of Yoga Nidra is now complete. Hadiom. That's sad.