Happy New Year! Who Am I?

The first morning of 2008. I woke up and after missing a few days of meditation began the "Who am I?" mindfulness meditation from my bed. It goes like this:

Clouds come and go. I have a body, but I am not my body. Breathe.

I have thoughts, but I am not my thoughts. Thoughts come and go. Breathe.

I have emotions and feelings, but I am not my emotions and feelings. They come and go. Breathe.

I have memories, but I am not my memories. Breathe.

Who am I? Breathe. Be still for a while.

If you do this right there is a space and in that space you get a glimpse of who you really are. This morning in that space I understood that I am a learner, a student here on this planet, in this body, having these thoughts and emotions, learning lessons. I am happiest when I am learning, growing, moving.

I am not any of the things I think I am when I am not being aware. In my normal consciousness I am a walking body full of desires and wants forever trying to find food, pleasure, comforts, something to keep me busy. But, when I make the slightest movement to pay attention, to become conscious of my self, my true self, something else happens, I see what really is. The wants and desires fall away and I see my true passion, my true purpose in life.

It's a new year. I'm going to be more aware in 2008. I'm going to breathe and remember who I am.