My Zen teacher used to ask me:
Who are you when there’s nothing to be done, when there’s no problem to solve?
I’ve been asking myself this question for the better part of the past decade, letting it sink in, finding answers in the most simple places.
Mostly, I find answers when I sit or lay still for a while and follow the breath. When I eat mushrooms, shut up, and pay attention to what they’re sharing. Or, when I take in the epic magnificence of a mountain, ocean, bug, eagle, or some other sacred being.
The answer doesn’t come as a word or through the intellect though.
I feel it.
Tuning into this feeling, and cultivating it through simple and grounded practices such as mindfulness meditation, conscious connected breathing, compassionate service and intentional use of psychedelics has allowed me to know myself beyond the temporary roles I play. This feeling reminds me of who I am, what I am.
Much of our identities and self-worth are derived from what we do for others, society and ourselves. From the ways in which we are “productive” or “useful” to another or to oneself. Yet, there’s more (or less) to ourselves than the roles we adopt.
Many people identify as caretakers, or by their profession, or by what they’re passionate about, or by where they fit in socially or in their family tree.
But who are you when you take all that away?
The spiritual traditions aim to offer an answer to this essential self-inquiry.
Different traditions have different answers, but all traditions bring us back to our root, our essence, our true nature. Most traditions involve the breath or centre the breath in some practical and meaningful way. Sometimes this is explicit (pranayama), sometimes it’s cryptic (religious chants that regulate the cadence of the breath).
The traditions use various techniques and words, but all point to the same thing.
Another way of asking the question might be:
Who are you originally?
I can’t answer for you but, I’ll say this: it’s worth finding out.
When you rediscover your true nature, you will know an abiding peace, a powerful capacity to love and a boundless source of creativity. All of which are wonderful qualities for ourselves, the people we care about and those we come in contact with.
Turns out cultivating a deep relationship to your breath is a great way of getting to your original essence, an essence which is simple, peaceful, loving and aware.
An essence that is harmonious, balanced and whole.
The best part is, you don't have to believe in anything.
These techniques are simple, natural, and timeless, and require only dedication to diligent practice. The dedication to diligent practice is an obstacle in itself but, in my experience, the dedication and diligence are well worth it.
If nothing else, remember this: the breath brings us home.
Try following it.
Here’s a gentle reminder about tomorrow’s conscious connected breathwork journey happening on Zoom from 7pm to 8:30pm. During the gathering, you will learn conscious connected breathing and I will guide you through the practice.
This is a great opportunity to learn a simple but powerful, transformative and therapeutic practice, with the support of a trained breathwork facilitator (that would be me) and the sanctity of the Psygaia community.
I hope to meet you or see you there!
Beautiful brother, may you always be able to abide in this space.