Identity 1: What Is Identity? Unveiling the Eternal Self

In our fast-paced world, identity often seems like a fluid concept—something we shape, redefine, or even reinvent over time. We hear phrases like “finding oneself,” “changing who I am,” or “reinventing my identity,” suggesting that identity is flexible, subject to personal choice and external circumstances. Yet, beneath these assumptions lies a deeper truth: identity is not a matter of change or becoming—it is necessary (in the metaphysical sense of being unchangeable and eternally true) and eternal.

This misunderstanding stems from a profound metaphysical oversight. To grasp why identity is veiled from us, we must explore the common perceptions of identity, why they fall short, and what the Structure of Being reveals about our true selves.

The Common View of Identity: Change as Identity

In everyday thought, identity is often equated with change or personal evolution. Psychological theories emphasize self-discovery through experiences, social interactions, and personal choices. Cultural narratives reinforce this by valuing individual freedom, self-expression, and transformation. Within this framework, identity seems tied to time—it evolves, adapts, and shifts based on life’s circumstances.

For example, someone may say, “I was different five years ago,” or “I’m still figuring out who I am.” These expressions imply that identity is contingent on time and external conditions. In this view, identity is seen as a moving target—something to pursue or create.

However, this perspective overlooks a crucial metaphysical truth: the idea of becoming contradicts the necessary and eternal nature of Being. When we think of identity as something we become or change into, we deny its necessary structure—its unchanging essence.

Why Time Veils True Identity

One of the main reasons identity is misunderstood is our unquestioned belief in time’s reality. Time, as we experience it—past, present, and future—appears as an unalterable truth. We live through its flow, measuring life in moments and milestones, which reinforces the idea that we are always in the process of becoming something else.

The perception of time suggests that identity must change as we move from one moment to the next. We look back and see our “past selves” as different from who we are now, reinforcing the illusion that identity is mutable.

From the perspective of the Structure of Being, time is not a force that causes change in identity; rather, it is an appearance within Being’s eternal structure. What appears in time—our thoughts, choices, and experiences—are expressions of identity but not its essence.

The misconception arises because we mistake time’s passage for identity’s change. We fail to see that what we are, at our core, is eternally necessary and unchanging—regardless of time’s flow or life’s circumstances.

Nihilism and the Denial of Identity

The modern emphasis on change and becoming echoes nihilistic thought, which denies the existence of any eternal truth or fixed identity. Nihilism suggests that life lacks inherent meaning, and by extension, identity is a hollow concept—something we fill with temporary values or roles.

This nihilistic undercurrent in contemporary thought fuels the idea that identity is a flexible construct, tied to social roles, career choices, gender, or personal beliefs. The belief that “I can be whoever I want” reflects a rejection of necessity in favor of contingency.

However, this rejection deepens identity’s fragmentation. If identity is contingent—always in flux—it leads to existential anxiety, alienation, and the loss of self. People may feel disconnected from themselves, overwhelmed by the pressure to continuously recreate who they are.

Identity as Necessary and Eternal

In contrast, the Structure of Being asserts that identity is necessary (unchangeable and eternally true—it simply is) and eternal—it cannot change because to change would be to become something else, which is impossible. Identity is not shaped by time or external circumstances; it simply appears as what it is.

Think of identity not as a moving target but as a constant presence—like the truth of gravity or the structure of geometry. Just as a triangle remains a triangle regardless of how we perceive it or apply its concept, identity remains itself, independent of time and appearance.

This necessary identity is not the surface-level “self” we often refer to—the sum of our experiences or roles—but the unchanging core of who we are. It transcends time and becoming. While we experience life in time, our true identity exists beyond the past and future—it simply is.

Why We Fail to See True Identity

The veil over identity arises from three main sources:

• Time’s Illusion: As discussed, the perception of linear time convinces us that identity must change with time. We mistake temporal experiences for identity itself, obscuring the eternal truth.
• The Influence of Nihilism: Nihilism promotes the idea that there is no fixed self or truth, pushing us toward fragmentation by denying the necessary structure of identity.
• Cultural Emphasis on Becoming: Modern culture celebrates change and reinvention, framing identity as a personal project. While personal growth is valuable, the idea that identity is contingent on choices or social roles deepens the disconnect from our true nature.

These factors combine to veil identity, leading individuals to experience fragmentation and existential confusion.

The Path Forward: Recognizing Identity

The first step toward wholeness is recognizing that identity is not something we create or change—it is revealed when we look beyond time’s illusion and nihilistic thought. The crisis of identity in contemporary society stems from this misunderstanding, but the truth remains: our identity is necessary and eternal.

In the next article, we’ll examine how this misunderstanding leads to the fragmentation of the individual, both socially and psychologically. We’ll explore the forces that divide us and how the illusion of becoming deepens the fracture between who we are and who we believe ourselves to be.

Recognizing identity as necessary is not just a philosophical exercise—it’s a practical step toward overcoming alienation and achieving wholeness. The truth of identity awaits us, beyond time and change—an eternal structure always present, waiting to be unveiled.