Opportunities for Practicing Non-Identification
Opportunities for Practicing Non-Identification
A member of our Facebook Group made some valuable observations about prioritizing presence in specific circumstances where they had previously found themselves habitually reacting with frustration, anger, and fear. Her encounter originated from working with last week’s exercise on courage. As I read her story, I realized that her experience was a fitting example of non-identification and keeping an even mind. This week’s topic mingles with the idea of courage, taking the risk of being present to our lives amid daily disturbances and challenges, endeavoring to greet each moment and circumstance from a place of non-identification or detachment and presence.
Disturbance comes only from within—from our own perceptions. — Marcus Aurelius
In her comments, she explained that the primary aim was to prioritize presence. This aim was supported by three objectives: 1) to say “no” without giving a reason, an excuse, or justification; 2) to respond instead of reacting; and 3) to face fear with courage and ask for support. What inspired me most about reading her story was that she interrupted her habitual reactions in moments where she would usually become identified, but this time she was more awake to intentionally choose what part of her inner self she wished to nurture and strengthen. The part that desired presence was able to respond rather than react.
You are two people. We all are.
There is in each of us an inner
and an outer person.
The outer is the old,
unconverted, coarse,
and growing older.
The inner is the new,
ever turning toward
the divine, ever younger.
There is no death for that
heavenly inner person
in whom God shines.
— Meister Eckhart
Her larger scale identification was regarding a consumer dispute, but through prioritizing presence she was aware enough to also observe that “Day to day living was presenting [her] with other smaller examples of a similar nature as though providing [her] with opportunities for practice.” My experience has been that when I am making efforts to engage higher states, these gifts – opportunities for practice – seem to appear spontaneously. When I am more awake, I receive more help.
Working on smaller scale identifications helps us handle the larger ones when they come along. Self-remembering and bringing presence to relatively calmer moments are a dress rehearsal for those challenges in life that may seem unbearable. When the intense identifications of relationships, money, employment, health, opinion, or politics emerge, these smaller rehearsals are put to the test for us to stay calm and keep an even mind. Drawing upon the energy that these dress rehearsals create, I am strengthened to remain present, undisturbed, and unidentified for larger events. Everyone moves through countless daily opportunities to practice non-identification and reclaim the rightful state of self-remembering.
For identification, we give up our greatest treasure, self-remembering. —The Teacher
Angel by Raphael
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