One thing that is factually true but still misleading, is the statement “I am.” Of course, it is a fact that I exist. I have paperwork to prove it. I have a name. I had parents. You can see me. You can feel me. All your senses can embrace me. And if you hurt me, I might bleed and I’ll certainly protest.
But who is this “I” that people see? It depends on the person I’m with and where I am. I assume roles according to the situation. I can be a disciplined teacher in a classroom setting or a wild dancer in a nightclub. Besides this, others bring their own conditioning and illusions into perceiving who I am.
They see a woman. According to what culture they have assimilated, that is another tag and label that attaches to this “I.” I add further definitions of “woman” from my own cultural background and family examples. These are just roles and structures and do not pertain to who I am as a unique individual.
So when I say, “I am.” Which “I” am I talking about? Do I even know? “I” is a blanket term for a constantly changing, entity of thoughts, emotions, and spiritual insights that also happens to have a body that is constantly changing. Yes, this thing called “I” is never the same from second to second. Things are changing, breaking down, building up, and always in a state of flux.
What is ultimately misleading about the word “I” is that it refers to our physical form. It is not the “I” of the Spiritual “Great I Am.” That is eternal and underneath it all, the unity from which all the little “I’s” emerge and disappear.
But who is this “I” that people see? It depends on the person I’m with and where I am. I assume roles according to the situation. I can be a disciplined teacher in a classroom setting or a wild dancer in a nightclub. Besides this, others bring their own conditioning and illusions into perceiving who I am.
They see a woman. According to what culture they have assimilated, that is another tag and label that attaches to this “I.” I add further definitions of “woman” from my own cultural background and family examples. These are just roles and structures and do not pertain to who I am as a unique individual.
So when I say, “I am.” Which “I” am I talking about? Do I even know? “I” is a blanket term for a constantly changing, entity of thoughts, emotions, and spiritual insights that also happens to have a body that is constantly changing. Yes, this thing called “I” is never the same from second to second. Things are changing, breaking down, building up, and always in a state of flux.
What is ultimately misleading about the word “I” is that it refers to our physical form. It is not the “I” of the Spiritual “Great I Am.” That is eternal and underneath it all, the unity from which all the little “I’s” emerge and disappear.
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