When we come into this world, we’re born with a blank slate, a mind untouched by language, beliefs, or societal constructs. We arrive with pure potential, yet with no knowledge of what lies ahead or what we are supposed to become. As we grow, we begin to acquire—piece by piece—the identities, values, and beliefs that shape who we are. These come from our parents, our culture, religion, belief systems, the laws of the land, and later through education, specialized training, and life experiences. Slowly, this mix of influences molds what we perceive as our “personality.” But is this truly who we are?
At Universal Coaching Federation (UCF), we believe that by peeling back these layers of acquired personality, one can reveal the authentic self—the Oneself—which lies beneath. Through our research-based coaching framework, individuals are guided to dismantle these acquired identities and return to a state of inner balance and clarity. It’s in this process of self-discovery that we often find that many of our so-called “problems” are also acquired. Let’s dive deeper into how this journey unfolds.
At birth, we do not know which language we’ll speak, what cultural beliefs we’ll hold, or how we’ll see the world. Yet as we grow, we absorb information and behaviors from those around us. By observing our parents, we learn our first concepts of “right” and “wrong.” From society, we absorb definitions of “success” and “failure.” Religion may introduce us to ideas about “good” and “bad,” while educational systems classify us by strengths and weaknesses.
Over time, these external influences form a seemingly solid sense of self, or what we call a "personality." We label ourselves as strong or weak, right or wrong, good or bad, capable or incapable. And along with these labels, we start to develop associated challenges and struggles. The job stress, the relationship conflicts, the sense of inadequacy—these aren’t inherent to us. They’re a result of the acquired identity that has layered over our true nature.
According to UCF, beneath all these acquired layers is a state of pure Ananda, a term that represents our natural state of bliss and joy. Ananda is not something external or a fleeting emotion; it is our Swabhav, our real personality. It is a state of pure contentment, peace, and fulfillment—a state that we are born with. But as we accumulate layers of conditioning, we lose touch with this innate bliss and become tangled in the web of our acquired identities and their associated challenges.
Ananda is also the purest form of spirituality. That’s why we often refer to God as Paramananda, the supreme bliss. This blissful state is within us; it is our responsibility to uncover it and nurture it. To live a life of true happiness, we must reconnect with this inner state, free from the complications imposed by our acquired identities.
Just as we acquire our personality, we also acquire the problems and challenges we face in life. Often, these problems are tied to the identities we have taken on. For instance:
Career Pressure: We may experience stress in our careers, not because work is inherently stressful, but because we are conditioned to see success as the ultimate measure of our worth.
Relationship Struggles: Many relationship issues arise from expectations shaped by society, family, and culture. We acquire a set of beliefs about how relationships “should” look, leading to frustration and discontent when reality doesn’t align with these acquired ideals.
Self-Doubt and Anxiety: Much of our self-doubt stems from comparing ourselves to others, a habit ingrained through cultural and educational conditioning. We grow up learning to measure ourselves by external standards, leading to a constant battle with inadequacy.
The problems we face are often the result of these acquired beliefs, which drive us to live in a way that may not be aligned with our true selves. By dismantling these beliefs, we can see these problems for what they are: constructs of the mind, not inherent aspects of our being.
Dismantling Acquired Personality with UCF's Research-Based Coaching Framework
At UCF, our mission is to guide individuals back to their original state of Ananda, free from the constraints of their acquired identities. Through our research-based transformational coaching framework, we empower people to dismantle the layers of their acquired personality and discover their Oneself. Here’s how:
Awareness: The first step is cultivating awareness of the acquired beliefs that shape our personality. This involves deep introspection to identify the sources of our beliefs and values. Are they truly our own, or are they inherited from parents, society, or education?
Acceptance: Transformation begins with accepting oneself fully, both the light and shadow aspects. Acceptance doesn’t mean complacency; it means recognizing that our acquired personality is just one part of us and doesn’t define who we are at our core.
Release of Labels: We work with individuals to help them shed labels such as “strong,” “weak,” “successful,” and “failure.” By letting go of these labels, they free themselves from the expectations tied to these identities.
Reconnection with Oneself: Once the acquired personality is dismantled, what remains is the pure self—the Oneself that is rooted in Ananda. This process allows individuals to reconnect with their natural state of peace, fulfillment, and purpose.
Living from Ananda: Operating from Ananda means living a life of authenticity, purpose, and inner harmony. This doesn’t mean challenges will disappear, but they will no longer define or control the individual. They become experiences, not identity-shaping forces.
The journey UCF offers is one from darkness to light. The darkness represents the layers of acquired identity that obscure our true selves, and the light is the realization of Oneself, the unconditioned, blissful state within. By guiding individuals through this journey, UCF doesn’t just help them resolve their problems; we help them transcend these problems by revealing their true nature.
When we live from Ananda, we align with our true purpose. Each of us is born with unique gifts and potential, but these are often buried under the weight of acquired identities and societal expectations. By rediscovering our Oneself, we become free to pursue the purpose we were born for—a purpose driven by inner joy, not external validation.
The idea that we acquire our personalities—and therefore our problems—challenges the way most of us see ourselves. It suggests that our struggles are not inherent but are tied to the beliefs and values we’ve absorbed over time. At UCF, we are committed to helping people shed these acquired layers and reconnect with their true selves. When we operate from Oneself, beyond good and bad, right and wrong, strength and weakness, we become capable of creating a life filled with peace, love, and fulfillment.
Ultimately, the path to true happiness and purpose begins with understanding that our problems are not a part of us—they’re acquired, and therefore, they can be released. Let us journey together from the darkness of acquired identities to the light of Ananda, embracing the true essence of our existence.
Let’s remember: Ananda is our Swabhav, our real personality, and it’s our responsibility to keep ourselves in that state of joy.
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