Who am I?
--- Rupa Manjari Devi Dasi
I have different identities. My English name is Ivy, my Chinese name is Ying, and my Spiritual name is Rupa. Name could change anytime. That can not be my true identity. I was a Chinese citizen and now I am Canadian citizen. I have been an administrator in an office, a cashier in a grocery store, a customer representative, and a Yoga instructor at various places. Since my professions and positions always change, obviously the title that I am working with is not my true identity.
Names and titles are not me. Who am I?
I have different relationships. For my mother, I am a daughter; For my son, I am a mother; For my teachers, I am a student; For my students, I am a teacher. All these are just the relationships with others, some could change, some won’t change. It’s clear that it is not my true Self. The real “I”.
Relationship with others is not the essence of me. Who am I?
I have different body parts. I stand on my feet, I use my hand to write, I use my legs to walk. I smell through my nose, see through my eyes, listen through my ears. All these parts of my body can be utilized for a certain function. So I take care of my body well. I use my body as an instrument to sense and act in the world. But the body itself is not my Self.
Body is not me. Who am I?
I have different emotions. I laugh when I am happy, I cry when I am upset. I loved someone and now I don’t. I was calm yesterday and I have anger today. “I” can see emotions come and go like waves, and change all the time. Therefore, emotions can not be me, the real “I”. They are only manifestations of my Self.
Emotions are not me. Who am I?
I have a mind. My mind is my best friend when it listens to me, but sometimes my mind doesn’t obey me. Instead, my mind follows a habit. I want to go to Yoga class, but my mind doesn’t obey me; I can’t go out because of the habit of watching TV. Obviously my mind is only one of the sense organs and it is not my Self.
Mind is not me. Who am I?
I have intelligence to recognize, perceive, discover and express myself and the world around me. The content of intelligence, the knowledge, is changing constantly as I learn, experience and exchange ideas with others. Today my knowledge convinces me that to be vegetarian is good for my health, tomorrow new research will show that a gluten-free diet is even better. Intelligence, like mind, is only another tool to bridge the spiritual world and phenomenon world. It can not be me, the real “I”.
Intelligence is not me. Who am I?
Because “I” exist, I have identities, relationships, a body, emotions, mind and intelligence. So, where is “I”, what is “I”, Who am “I”?
Welcome to join Rupa Manjari Devi Dasi (Ivy)‘s meditation class at Wishingtree Yoga Centre for an unforgettable journey. Rupa has been practicing Yoga and meditation since 1996 in China. Her Chinese background and training gives her a natural understanding of this ancient eastern wisdom. Her living, studying and teaching in Canada has provided her the opportunity to develop the practice in a modern western way. It is all about SELF.
Check the full article at:
http://www.wishingtreeyoga.ca/who-am-I.html
