Who I am...

A couple years ago, I was helping my mom clean the kitchen after breakfast, an almost religious activity that was part of our Saturdays. We were listening to this radio station, and pretty much what you can always expect to hear from any type of regular radio station is not very varied-- the same 'new' songs being played over and over until you get sick of them, commercials, and more commercials. Of course there are a few great radio stations that feed more than your hungry ears, but that only accounts for a very little number of them. While my mom was so engrossed scratching the grease spots on the stove that our delicious breakfast had produced, I pretended to be putting the clean dishes away. Oh yes, I really looked like I was doing something, when in reality, I was 'busy' listening to a radio show that used to enjoy when I was younger. After the radio hostess sent the audience to commercials, she emphasized to stay tuned, as she would have a very special personality in the show. "I still have enough dishes," I thought, smiling to myself. And the show came back from commercials.

"Thanks for staying tuned with us, my friends. Now, I would like to introduce you to a very special personality in the world of spirituality: Mr. S." And after Mr. S was introduced, I began to wonder what a preacher was doing in a radio station like that. "Well, thanks for the invite to this wonderful show. Now I would like to begin by asking you a question," said our friend the spiritual guide, referring to the radio hostess. "I am Elena B., and I am a radio show hostess. I am married and I have three wonderful kids..."

"It is great to know all this information about you, Elena. But, did you really answer my question? I didn't ask you for your name, or your occupation, or your status, or anything of that sort. Who you are is not your name, or your occupation, or who you're married to." I was baffled. Who was I then? If I am not a daughter, a sister, a student, an auntie, a writer, you name it, Who am I?

I thought that was the most difficult question to answer. Ever.

In an attempt to describe who I am, this is my wild guess: I'd like to think of myself as not only the physical boundaries that define me, but also, as an entity with a soul and a mind, with qualities that define me as a unique being in space and time. A being that has is connected to the universe through her soul, that although she sees with her eyes, she feels with her heart, and speaks to the world with her mind. Alright.

As I actually finished putting the dishes away, I tried to elaborate a somewhat coherent definition of who I was. Years have gone by, and I still cannot tell you with 100% certainty who I am. I live my life pursuing that prerogative, and the day I happen to stop, it would be no longer me, or I'd already be a Sen sei. Whichever happens first.

Now, I turn it over to you. Do you know who you are?



----------------
Now playing: John Lennon - Imagine (Live)
via FoxyTunes