“I am presence” and detachment
As I sit in meditation, I gently close my eyes and breathe deeply. I feel myself slipping into a place that is still new to me, and happy to keep exploring. Suddenly, a space appears in my inner vision, as if my eyes are being stretched away from the vision in front of me. I become aware of what's happening and realize that this is not just a thought but an awareness of what's happening. Then, I ask myself, "Who is watching all this?" In response, I drop into a deep sense of spacious awareness of "I am." It's a deep knowing in the deepest part of my being, and I rest there. It's at this moment that I truly understand the statement, "We are created in God's image." We are fractals of God, wearing this earthly costume with its limitations and emotions to learn our way back to our divine nature. We set these limitations for ourselves before we incarnate, and it is all part of the plan. We were excited to come here so that we could explore the depth of love and wisdom. Thinking about it gives me goosebumps. It feels so true.
From the moment we enter this world, we are inundated with messages that shape our identity. The first words we hear, the beliefs we are taught at home, and the environment we grow up in all contribute to our internal dialogue. These experiences become our daily thoughts and conversations, shaping our belief system and ultimately defining “who we are.” As we journey through life, we carry these experiences with us like heavy bags that weigh us down. But we hold onto them because the idea of putting them down feels like walking down the street naked. Our shoulders are hunched, but we tell ourselves it's necessary to be realistic, responsible, and mature (whatever that means). When someone insults you or when you experience anything painful like rejection or sickness, you feel the impact of it because you are in this body, and it has its limitations and conditions. It becomes natural to internalize these experiences and identify ourselves with them.
As an analogy, When you step into your car or on your bike and realize that it’s not functioning properly, the first thought that comes to your mind is that you need to get it fixed or take it to a garage. You recognize that you are not your car or bike, but you are aware that it needs attention. You are confident that it will be repaired, and if it can’t be fixed, you will replace it. Regardless, this doesn’t change anything about you. It may require extra effort to find alternative transportation while it is being fixed, but this doesn’t change who you are. Another way of explaining this is when our true selves become aware of our body sensations. We create enough space between ourselves and the bodily sensations, and we become detached from them. It is painful to the body, but we must not identify ourselves with it. We must acknowledge that the body needs healing, but what we often overlook is that there is an awareness within us that constantly observes these experiences. This awareness is who we truly are, whether we call it our divine self, our awakened self, or simply our awareness.
When we encounter negative experiences, our true selves are aware of what’s happening, but we must not identify ourselves with the experience. It’s important to remember that we are whole and complete. Nothing outside of us is really us, when we remember this truth, we can walk through life like a balloon in the air, feeling lighter, complete, and free. The true self is the essence of who we are. It is the part of us that is connected to the universe and the divine. It is the source of our creativity, our intuition, and our deepest desires. Our true selves are always present, but the distractions of daily life can cloud them. By creating space and detaching from our experiences, we connect with our true selves and experience the wholeness and completeness that exists within us. This awareness is the essence of our being, the core of our existence. It is the light that shines within us, illuminating our path in life. It is the unchanging, eternal aspect of ourselves that transcends all our experiences, our thoughts, and our emotions. It is the witness to our lives, the observer of our thoughts, and the source of our consciousness. I love what Jim Carrey said “We are not the avatars we create, we are not the pictures on the film stock, we are the light that shines through. All else is smoke and mirrors.”
The truth that I speak of cannot be taught but rather must be experienced. Practice it in your daily life: When you wake up in the morning, take note of the awareness within you that recognizes that your body has just woken up. Connect with that awareness, which is your true self, and ask for help remembering this truth throughout your day. You will see how your experience in this world transforms. You will also realize that who you truly are doesn’t need your participation.
I hope this message finds you with an open heart to receive.
