There's an aspect of being that exists at a deeper level than any of the roles we assume in everyday life. It's beyond what we think, feel, say, or do. This state of consciousness is often referred to in spiritual traditions as the "I Am." Understanding the "I Am" is helpful — experiencing it directly can be truly profound.

The Practice:

Find a location where no one can hear you. Speak your name slowly, at normal volume, articulating each syllable separately and clearly. Do this ten times. Next, proclaim your name as loudly as possible, in a voice midway between speaking and singing. Draw out each syllable even longer than before.

How does that feel? Can you fully claim the "I Am" for yourself, or do you shrink from it? Continue proclaiming your name until you feel spacious, energized, and powerful. For added effect, do this practice with a supportive friend. Let the presence of a witness intensify, and then break through, any lingering doubt about the spirit at your core.

Raphael Cushnir in How Now