Home Is Not a Place, But a Journey Within the Soul

What is home? This question has lingered in my mind for as long as I can remember, and its answer seems to evolve with every chapter of my life. Having lived in Canada for over 3 decades, I am a Canadian citizen, yet I do not wholly identify as Canadian. My roots extend deep into Persian soil, shaped by the rich traditions of Iran, the country of my birth.

I carry within me the multifaceted identity of a person raised in a traditional Persian, Muslim, and French-Canadian cultural milieu. These layers of identity sometimes coexist in harmony, and at other times, they clash, leaving me to grapple with an identity crisis that mirrors the one my homeland faces today.

Iran, the land of my ancestors, has always been more than a country to me. It is a place of extremes — extreme beauty, extreme sorrow, and extreme resilience. Though I consider Iran my home, I did not grow up there. When I speak with Iranians who have lived their whole lives in Iran, I realize that there are jokes, nuances, and cultural references that escape me. Their experiences, the hardships they’ve endured, the poetry that flows naturally through their veins — these are things I cannot fully grasp. And yet, when I think of home, it is Iran that first comes to mind.

But what is home, really? Is it the place where you were born, or the place where you feel most alive? Is it where you feel loved and valued, or is it a sanctuary within your heart? For some, home is where they find safety, solace, and peace — a place where time seems to flow effortlessly. For others, home might be in the comforting presence of a loved one, whether holding a parent’s hand in a hospital room or sharing laughter with a friend who has sought refuge in your home.

Home can also be a state of being — a feeling of being at one with the universe, of finding inner peace amidst the chaos of the world. For some, it is found in the familiar rituals of daily life, while for others, it is in the memories of a place or the connection to a community. Home is not just a physical location; it is a place within ourselves where we feel most true, most authentic, most at peace.

Yet, there are times when home becomes a place of pain and loss. In such moments, home may no longer be a sanctuary of comfort but rather a place marked by hardship and suffering. People may find themselves in situations where the very ground they cherish is threatened, and they are compelled to endure unimaginable challenges to protect it. This steadfastness, even in the face of adversity, reveals the deep and powerful connection people have to the place they call home.

Interestingly, home is also about unity — a sense of belonging that transcends geography and nationality. Take, for example, the global following of a sports team like Manchester United. Fans from every corner of the world, bound by their love for the team, find a sense of home in their shared passion. In these moments, home becomes less about place and more about connection — about being part of something larger than oneself.

Home is a concept that varies profoundly from person to person. For some, it is where their ancestors are from, a place steeped in history and heritage. For others, it might be found among ancient temples and pyramids, where the past meets the present in timeless beauty. For an astronaut, home might be the vastness of space, the planets and stars above, or even the rocket ship that carries them through the galaxy as they look down at Earth from above.

When I reflect on the meaning of home, I realize that every person’s definition is shaped by the unique experiences they’ve had in life. What I consider home today might be entirely different tomorrow, as life changes and experiences evolve us. Ultimately, I believe that home is where you find peace — where you enter a state of flow and feel safe, loved, and truly at ease.

As I approach my birthday, I realize that the quest for home has been a lifelong journey. For years, I searched for it outside of myself — in places, in people, in cultural identities. But now, I understand that home is not something to be found externally. It is a state of being that resides deep within me. Home is when I close my eyes and connect with the divine, with the energy that flows through all things. It is the sense of peace I find in moments of stillness, when I feel the synchronicity of life guiding me.

This home, the one I carry within me, is not bound by borders or possessions. It is not tethered to any physical place. It is the light that follows me wherever I go, the refuge I seek when the world feels overwhelming. It is my sanctuary, my cocoon, my inner haven. This home is eternal, and it is where I will return when I leave this world.

If you have not yet found your home, I encourage you to keep searching. Home may look different for each of us, but I believe it is out there, waiting to be discovered. Whether it is a place, a feeling, or a connection to something greater, may your home be a place where you feel safe, loved, and at peace.

Namaste.