In the journey of self-discovery, one often encounters the profound notion that identity transcends the physical and mental realms.
“You are not your body – you are not your mind” encapsulates a philosophy that challenges conventional perceptions of selfhood.
This concept beckons us to delve into the intricacies of human existence, questioning the nature of identity and inviting a deeper exploration of the self beyond the tangible and the cognitive.
You Are Not Your Body or Your Mind
You’re not the body; you have a body.
You’re not the mind; you have a mind.
That you are an avenue of awareness that is conscious of the body.
You are an avenue of awareness that is conscious of the mind.
You are not your name, body, occupation, family background, race, color, or income bracket. They are your everyday experience in this infinite time-space continuum but are not the totality of who you are.
You are Consciousness-infinite, eternal Awareness. You are formless in your core state; you are aware.
We are all one infinite Infinite Awareness, having different experiences from different points of observation – different levels of awareness and perception.
You are not your body. However, the body is a direct reflection, more or less, of how we use and take care of it. Many of us identify solely with the physical body that we inhabit.
We think we are the body and nothing else, and many have a negative body image. This way of thinking keeps us from one another and can make us feel inferior or superior.
I’m saying now that nothing could be further from the truth. Just like you are not the car you drive, neither are you the body you inhabit or the body that occupies you.
When we are small children, we rarely associate who we are with our bodies, and as we get older, especially in school, we start identifying more with our bodies.
How tall or short we are, our hair color, eyes, height, and skin. As time passes, we become entirely deluded into believing we are our bodies. Also, the name assigned to the body we inhabit is used for identification reasons and becomes another label attached to us.
As we get older, where we live, work, hang out, and even make friends gets piled onto the human identification of the self. Well. I’m here to tell you it’s all bull.
While incarnating on planet Earth during these times, we may experience as Mrs. Smith or Mr. Jones, but that is not who we are.
Infinite Consciousness
Now, let’s dive into the intriguing concept of infinite consciousness. This idea is like the vast ocean of awareness that underlies everything in existence.
Picture this: imagine us as interconnected waves within this boundless ocean instead of seeing ourselves as separate droplets of consciousness. That’s the essence of infinite consciousness.
It’s the idea that beyond our minds, there’s a universal consciousness that permeates everything. This cosmic awareness is beyond the constraints of time, space, and individual identity.
Think of it as the underlying fabric of reality from which our consciousness emerges. It’s the source of our being and the interconnectedness that unites all living things.
Different spiritual traditions may call it by different names—Brahman, emptiness, or interconnectedness—but the essence remains the same: a recognition of the unity of all existence.
Contemplating infinite consciousness invites us to ponder deep questions about the nature of reality and our place within it. It’s a journey into the depths of our souls, where we discover the interconnectedness of all things.
The Illusion of Identity
We are conditioned to associate our identity with our physical form from a young age. Our reflection in the mirror becomes the canvas upon which we paint our self-image.
However, while this corporeal vessel is undeniably a part of the human experience, it is not the essence of who we are. The body is subject to change, aging, and the whims of time, but the self endures beyond these transient alterations.
Similarly, the mind, often considered the seat of consciousness, is a complex and dynamic entity. Thoughts come and go, emotions ebb and flow, and the mind is susceptible to external stimuli.
Identifying solely with the mind can lead to a limited understanding of the self, as thoughts are fleeting and constantly transformed.
The Unchanging Self
The essence of “You are not your body – you are not your mind” lies in recognizing an unchanging self that exists independently of the physical and mental fluctuations.
This timeless core is often described as the soul or consciousness, an intangible entity that permeates our being. By disconnecting from the body’s impermanence and the mind’s ever-changing nature, one can tap into a deeper understanding of the self.
Various spiritual and philosophical traditions have long embraced the idea that the self extends beyond the material and the mental.
Eastern philosophies, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, posit the existence of a transcendent self that remains unaffected by the transitory nature of the physical and mental realms.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation in these traditions aims to cultivate an awareness of this enduring self, fostering a sense of inner peace and detachment from the ephemeral aspects of existence.
In the Western world, existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger delved into the nature of being and the concept of an authentic self. Sartre, in particular, explored the idea that consciousness precedes essence, emphasizing human freedom and the responsibility to create one’s own identity beyond societal expectations or biological determinism.
The societal tendency to label individuals based on physical attributes and mental characteristics can be limiting. You are not your body – you are not your mind asks us to move beyond these labels and categories, recognizing that external appearances or cognitive processes cannot fully encapsulate the essence of a person.
This shift in perspective invites a more holistic understanding of human beings, fostering empathy and breaking down the barriers erected by superficial distinctions.
The Journey Within Let’s You Know You Are Not Your Body
To embrace the notion that you are not your body or mind is to embark on a journey within. Practices like meditation, self-reflection, and mindfulness become invaluable tools for exploring the depths of consciousness and connecting with the enduring self.
These introspective endeavors allow individuals to transcend the noise of external influences and tap into a source of inner wisdom that extends beyond the limitations of the physical and mental realms.
Detach From the Identification With Your Body
As individuals detach from the identification with their bodies and minds, they open themselves to profound avenues of personal transformation.
Realizing that the self is not confined to physical or cognitive constraints liberates individuals from the fear of aging, societal expectations, and the transient nature of thoughts and emotions.
This newfound freedom can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling existence grounded in a deeper understanding of oneself.
We Are More Than Our Bodies or Minds
We are infinite consciousness having a human experience.
The Mind-Body computer is the vehicle for the real us -Consciousness- to interact with our range of frequencies.
I could not tap this keyboard or hold a book without having an outer shell resonating within this frequency range we call reality.
People who have had near-death experiences, where their body has died and then been revived, describe the out-of-body state as dramatically different from the reality they perceived from inside the body.
The human mind-body is a lens through which consciousness can experience this reality. Humanity identifies with the lens and not the ‘real self.’
They have highly expanded awareness and can see even without eyes.
The Physical World Illusion
Most people believe we live in a physical world, which certainly appears to be the case. But it’s not; there is no physical; it’s all an illusion.
You are not your name, body, occupation, family background, race, color, or income bracket. They are your current experience in this infinite time-space continuum but are not the totality of who you are.
You are Consciousness-infinite, eternal Awareness. You are formless in your core state; you are awareness.
We are all one infinite Infinite Awareness, having different experiences from different points of observation – different levels of awareness and perception.
We talk about people dying, but they don’t die and cannot die. Their body, their operating system, dies, not them – Consciousness. Dying is our consciousness, putting down the telescope when it has ceased functioning.
I seldom associate solely with my physical body unless human nature calls.
As a teenager, I spent a lot of time looking in the mirror and identifying with my body, how I dressed, whom I hung out with, and what kind of car I drove. Now, I look at it as a human experience in my body.
You are infinite consciousness before you are incarnated into a human body, while you are in a human body, and after you no longer have a human body.
The mind will resist this idea because that is what the mind does. When we are open to higher awareness, new information will be downloaded into us without the mind filter getting in the way.
You are not the mind, your emotions, or your body. These ego (mind) identifications are only used for humanitarian reasons. While your consciousness is in the human body, you will experience all the associated pain and pleasure.
The human body comes pre-programmed (subconscious) from your eyes and hair color to limiting beliefs and phobias. These traits are passed on by the parents( genetic lineage) and onto the offspring (you) via DNA.
It’s a huge trend now to see people getting plastic surgery to change their appearance, and they overly identify with the physical body so much that they have forgotten who they are.
Changing the outside appearance will not change the subconscious limiting beliefs.
Keeping Your Body Healthy
Now, I’m not suggesting that we ignore or neglect the body; on the contrary, please honor and care for it and treat it sacredly as you would your automobile.
Your car will break down if you don’t regularly maintain it, and so will your physical body.
With the earth’s energy speeding up, eating healthy foods, especially protein from vegetables, is essential now. Cut out or back on the carbs; you don’t need as much as you think.
Eating foods as close to the earth as you can help keep your body healthy and maintain your immune system. I’m not preaching here, but avoid the dead, processed foods as much as possible, including caffeine, sugar, grains, and alcohol.
Most of you spend a lot of your time on the computer. I do, but I also balance it with physical (grounding) activities to keep me from “spacing out.”
I will take a break during work and go outside to do something physical, like gardening, splitting firewood, washing the car, or mowing the grass. Do you get my point?
Watching television and sitting in front of the computer for hours will turn you into a zombie. I remember how all the mental classes made me feel aloof in grade school because I found them completely unstimulating.
However, classes like art, gym, and food always kept me feeling centered and grounded – food for thought about the nature of school.
Remember: get out of your head and into your body. The more grounded you are, the easier it will be to live consciously, experience, and create your life.
Jennifer Partridge – Mindvalley EFT Tapping Course
You Are Not Your Body Or Your Mind Conclusion
The idea that “You are not your body—you are not your mind” challenges us to redefine our understanding of identity and embrace a more expansive concept of selfhood.
Beyond the ever-changing physical form and the fluctuating landscape of thoughts and emotions lies an unchanging essence that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
Through spiritual practices, philosophical inquiry, or introspective journeys, individuals can unlock the potential for profound personal growth and transformation by recognizing and connecting with this enduring core of their being.
Understanding that we are not the body or the mind, we embark on a journey toward a more profound, holistic, and liberated sense of self.
