Throughout the annals of human spirituality and philosophy, the concept of the divine has been a source of profound contemplation and introspection. One perspective that has captured the imagination of seekers across traditions is the notion of the divine within, often expressed as the “I AM.” In this exploration, we delve into the idea of the “I AM” as the first person present tense of the totality of our being and contrast it with the more familiar notions of God in the second and third person.
The “I AM” as the First Person of Totality:
The phrase “I AM” is a declaration of existence and consciousness. It reflects the direct experience of being alive and aware. In the context of spirituality and self-realization, the “I AM” is often seen as the divine essence that resides within each of us.
1. Immediate Presence: The “I AM” signifies the immediate presence of the divine within our own consciousness. It’s a direct, unmediated experience of divinity, transcending the need for intermediaries or external representations.
2. First-Person Connection: When we refer to the divine as “I AM,” we establish a deeply personal and intimate connection with the divine presence. It’s as if divinity is speaking through our own voice and consciousness.
3. Unity of Being: The “I AM” implies the unity of our individual selves with the greater totality of existence. It suggests that our personal consciousness is intimately connected with the universal consciousness.
God in the Second and Third Person:
In contrast, traditional religious and spiritual practices often refer to the divine in the second and third person, such as “God” or “the Divine.” These formulations create a sense of separation between the seeker and the divine, highlighting the idea that the divine is an external, transcendent entity.
1. Mediated Experience: When we speak of God in the second or third person, it often implies a mediated experience of the divine through scriptures, rituals, or religious authorities. There is a sense of needing an intermediary to access the divine.
2. Transcendence and Mystery: Referring to the divine in the second or third person can emphasize the transcendence and mystery of the divine. It often suggests that the divine is beyond human comprehension and can only be approached with reverence.
3. Religious and Cultural Context: The second and third person references to God are often shaped by religious and cultural traditions. They carry with them the symbolism, rituals, and beliefs associated with a particular faith.

Harmony of Perspectives:
While the “I AM” and references to God in the second and third person may appear to represent different approaches to the divine, they need not be in conflict. Many spiritual seekers find harmony by recognizing that the “I AM” is both an intimate, first-person experience of the divine and a recognition of the broader, transcendent nature of divinity.
In this view, the “I AM” serves as a bridge between the immediate presence of the divine within our own consciousness and the recognition of a universal, transcendent aspect of the divine that is addressed in the second and third person. It’s a reminder that the divine is both immanent and transcendent, intimately personal and universally encompassing—an understanding that enriches our spiritual journeys and deepens our connection with the divine, however we choose to name or experience it.
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text-to-image Tao.Studio : “‘I AM Being’ flowing as holographic information as fabric of reality”
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