A weekly exercise

A weekly exercise

Each week an exercise will be posted for the aim of living consciously.

In 1826, Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote, “ Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are." When we become identified, we are, in fact, subservient to that which we identify with. Essentially, we are what we eat. Habitual by nature, we have been weaned on expectations and ideals dictated by cultural and societal norms. Our attachments mask essence and nurture false personality, all the while distracting what is real. When we place our sense of identity in external things or imaginary visions of ourselves, we are caught in a maelstrom of many I’s.

My teacher has said:

“You have Presence; life has identification.”

“Identification is the rule for humanity, Presence is the rule for schools.”

This week, look at that which you are identified with. What do you lose your Self to…food, image, clothing, money, work, politics, expectations, relationships? Observe these attachments and notice your reaction. By using the Work I Leave, one can avoid identification.

The stained glass windows from Chartres Cathedral depicts a man identified with his white money purse. He carries it next to his heart. Turn the image upside down and you have the lower self behind this identification.