Self Identity

The Meditation Newsletter

Self identity is a mystery, isn't it? Who are you really? There is an meditation you can do to search for your elusive identity, but the point of it isn't to find yourself. The real benefit comes from recognizing the things you are not. What we think we are causes us more grief than ignorance of true self could ever cause.

A Meditation On Self Identity

Find a quiet place and get comfortable. Close your eyes, relax and take several deep breaths, always breathing through your nose. Let your breathing fall into a natural pattern. Allow the tension to drain from your body. Tense up muscles and release the tension, if this helps.

Now you can begin with three questions: Where am I? What am I? Who am I? Let these questions sit there for a moment in your mind.

Become aware of your body. Think of your arm. If you were to lose it, would you cease to exist? Are you your body? Go through the various parts of your body, asking "Am I here?" "Is this my self?"

Open your eyes and look at the things around you. Are you those things? Maybe it hurts you when your favorite CD breaks, as though it is a part of you. But you know you're not that CD. Ask yourself which of these things you own are you. "Am I this?"

Close your eyes again and say your own name. It brings up a sense of identity, doesn't it? These are ideas, though, and you can see that, if you watch. What if you had no name? Ask "Am I really..." and say your name again. What is the honest answer? If you have a hard time with this one, say "I am..." and insert any other name. Notice how when you call yourself by another name, you feel differently.

As feelings arise, ask "Am I this fear?" (pain, sadness, pleasure, etc.). Do the meditation for twenty minutes or so, then take a deep breath or two and get up. Notice if you feel different, less worried or attached to things.

The point is that we often identify with so many things inside us and outside of us, and this causes us to suffer. Your favorite basketball team loses, and you suffer as though you lost. Your car is damaged and it feels like you are hurt. Somebody attacks who they think you are, and you take it as though they could actually reach inside and poke at your true self.

Your feelings are not you - they just pass through you. Your clothes, your body, your reputation - none of it is your true self-identity. Do this meditation as often as necessary, to remind you of what you are not.

Next Issue: Establishing a daily practice.

Steve