What is Separation?

What is Separation?

I divided my mind, preserving my presence. − Al-Farid

When I identify with something or an idea of who I am, then I lose myself in that something or the imaginary idea of myself. If I want to be more than that, I must separate myself, my higher self, from the workings of the machine, the lower self. This is the daily work of a student of the Fourth Way.

Daily work does not mean separation or divided attention becomes rote. Separating from the machine means staying on guard from the particular traps that my sleep sets for me. For example, if I am perturbed when reading or watching the news or being stuck in traffic or a long shopping line, then I am not separating. To make progress, I try to start with small identifications, like a missing menu choice, a broken egg, or the wrongly priced can of beans in the shopping cart. If I am indignant or offended or upset, I am identified. I am the broken egg.

The election season in the United States means that I am pulled in a bipolar way and apt to be identified with one party or another. There are ostensibly two choices, but there is at least one more choice. Choosing to be separate from the noise of politics and daily distractions is one such choice that is not on the ballot. Vote and separate. Many people only see two choices.

The esoteric idea of separation goes by different names in different traditions, but they all mean the same thing. Nonattachment, detachment, inner freedom or peace, etc. all mean essentially the same thing – separating from identification. Be sure to look for the right thing.

The lower self looks for attention. The higher Self looks for divided attention. − The Teacher

P.D. Ouspensky called this separation from identification “divided attention.” If I can simultaneously see myself as I am and see myself as the observer, then I’m remembering myself. The work from one angle is simple, but it does not just happen. Yes, it’s simple, but separation requires sustained effort and study. It does not become automatic in the ordinary sense of the word.

What holds you back or consumes your identity? What steps do you take to separate from identification?

True detachment is nothing else but a mind that stands unmoved by all accidents of joy or sorrow, honor, shame, or disgrace, as a mountain of lead stands unmoved by a breath of wind. This immovable detachment brings a man into the greatest likeness to God. – Meister Eckart

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Broken Eggs (detail), Jean-Baptiste Greuze