Lost in Identification

He who binds to himself a joy

Does the winged life destroy

He who kisses the joy as it flies

Lives in eternity's sunrise

—William Blake

Lost in Identification

What is the British poet William Blake referring to in this poem? When I am identified with something, I bind myself to that something. I disappear and only the object exists, like a vacuum I am completely drawn in. I lose myself in my joys, sorrows and even neutral preoccupations. The subject doesn’t really matter. As I sit waiting for a flight to depart, my identifications range from fears about the flight or transmissible diseases to the injustice of seating and boarding assignments.

Self remembering or the third state of consciousness or presence refers to a state where we are free from our identifications. When I am present, I am divided between the world about me and my internal world. Blake’s idea of “eternity’s sunrise” is a poetical way of referring to this Presence. For example, when I am consumed by a task before me, and lose myself in it, then I lose my birthright: to be a fully aware and “active” participant in my life. This misstep makes it then possible for other psychological weaknesses to emerge, such as expressing negative emotions or growing my imaginary picture of myself. I have noticed that identification is often a predicate for many mechanical, bad habits.

The Work starts now! Try to divide your attention and free yourself from any of your favorite or recurring attachments or identifications arising and drawing you away from the moment. Right now.

Petit Livre dAmour, Pierre Sala, Illuminated Manuscript, 1500

Join the discussion