Let me translate that for you.
You don't have a soul.
"So, what am I?", I asked wide-eyed and bewildered when my meditation teacher told me this.
In my head, what I was really saying was, "Are you saying that I am nothing!!! How dare you! So, do I belong to the devil now?!"
You don't have a soul because you are a soul.
Now, I'm confused.
She sensed my inner turmoil and started to explain.
"All this time, you thought you were a body with a soul. You see it's the other way around. You are a soul with a body."
I still don't get it. So, she asked me. "Can you please describe yourself?"
So, I rattled on...
I am Karen.
I am a daughter, a sister, a friend...
I work at ____________.
I am from _____________.
I have _______________.
"See, you identify yourself with your false I. You think that you are your position, your roles, your possessions. All of these are connected to the body- all perishable when you leave your mortal coil. All false."
"So what is true then.", I queried.
"Then, answer this for me. Think of your favorite part of nature and 3 adjectives which describe it... Now, describe yourself. Like a ______, I am..."
Like a mountain.
I am strong.
I am stable.
"See, that's who you truly are.", she replied beaming.
P.S. This is lesson 1 in meditation. I learned this 8 years ago. Recently, Sister Tims of Center for Spiritual Learning, Tagaytay reminded me of this lesson when I sat in her lecture.
P.P.S. Happy All Souls Days! Now, you know this day's for you, too. ;)
meditation from Release Your Wings
