Before the world appears solid, it is perceived. Before events feel meaningful, they are interpreted. Before life feels heavy or light, fast or slow, kind or cruel β there is a quieter layer beneath it all. There is the “I am.” This simple statement, this fundamental sense of being, is the doorway through which reality arrives. It is the filter that colors every experience, the lens that focuses every perception. And yet, it is so easy to overlook, to forget that this “I am” is the foundation upon which our entire world is built.
I remember a time when I felt lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty. I was searching for answers, for a sense of purpose and direction, but everything seemed to be shifting and changing around me. I felt like I was grasping for a handhold, for something to cling to, but everything was slipping through my fingers. It was then that I stumbled upon a simple yet profound teaching: “I am before the world.” These four words changed everything for me. They reminded me that my sense of self, my perception of who I am, is not something that is defined by external circumstances. It is not something that is given to me by the world, but rather something that I bring to the world.
As I began to explore this idea, I realized that my “I am” was not just a statement of fact, but a statement of intention. It was a declaration of my deepest truth, a reminder that I am more than my thoughts, my emotions, and my experiences. I am a being of consciousness, a spark of divine energy that is capable of perceiving, feeling, and experiencing the world in all its beauty and complexity. And when I remembered this, when I connected with my “I am,” everything shifted. The world, which had once seemed so solid and unyielding, began to feel more fluid, more malleable. I felt a sense of freedom, of spaciousness, that I had never known before.
But what does it mean to say “I am before the world”? What does it mean to prioritize this sense of self, this perception of who we are, over the demands and expectations of the external world? For me, it means recognizing that my worth, my value, and my identity are not defined by my relationships, my accomplishments, or my possessions. It means recognizing that I am not my thoughts, my emotions, or my experiences, but rather the awareness that witnesses them. It means cultivating a sense of inner stability, of inner peace, that is not dependent on external circumstances.
This is not always easy, of course. The world has a way of pulling us out of ourselves, of drawing us into its drama and chaos. We are constantly being bombarded with messages, with expectations, with demands for our attention and our energy. And it is easy to get caught up in all of this, to lose sight of our own inner truth, our own sense of “I am.” But when we do, when we forget that we are the ones who are perceiving, feeling, and experiencing the world, we begin to feel lost, disconnected, and alone.
So how do we remember our “I am”? How do we cultivate this sense of inner stability, of inner peace? For me, it begins with silence, with stillness, with a willingness to listen to the whispers of my own heart. It begins with a recognition that I am not just a thinking, rational being, but a feeling, intuitive, and creative one. It begins with a sense of curiosity, of wonder, of awe, that allows me to approach the world with fresh eyes, with an open heart, and with a sense of possibility.
As I sit in silence, as I listen to the whispers of my own heart, I begin to feel a sense of connection to something deeper, something more profound. I begin to feel a sense of oneness, of unity, that transcends the boundaries of the external world. I begin to feel a sense of freedom, of spaciousness, that allows me to move through the world with greater ease, with greater grace, and with greater joy. And when I feel this way, when I am connected to my “I am,” I know that I am exactly where I need to be. I know that I am home.
The world may still be chaotic, still be unpredictable, still be challenging. But I am no longer at the mercy of its whims. I am no longer defined by its expectations, its demands, or its judgments. I am free to be myself, to express myself, to live my own truth. And when I am, when I am connected to my “I am,” I know that everything else will follow. I know that my relationships will be more authentic, more meaningful, and more fulfilling. I know that my work will be more creative, more innovative, and more purposeful. I know that my life will be more joyful, more abundant, and more beautiful.
So let us remember our “I am.” Let us cultivate this sense of inner stability, of inner peace. Let us prioritize our own sense of self, our own perception of who we are, over the demands and expectations of the external world. Let us recognize that we are not just thinking, rational beings, but feeling, intuitive, and creative ones. Let us approach the world with curiosity, with wonder, and with awe. And let us trust that when we do, when we are connected to our “I am,” everything else will fall into place.
Perception is not a mirror of the world. It is the doorway through which the world arrives. And when we remember this, when we connect with our “I am,” we will find that the world is a very different place indeed.
Β© 2025 Sparklebox | Written by Elle Vida
β¨ Explore more from Sparklebox:
β’ The Hidden Work β Mental Alchemy Guide β’ Musebox β Affirmations & Visual Rituals β’ Soundbox β Healing Frequencies