That Is What You Are

Chad told me about a particular Buddhist exercise, which uses the "I am not" format to cast off unhealthy (or rather, untrue) attachments.

I rather like this idea, so I'm going to try it.

Please, please, please add to the list!

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I am not my bank account.

I am not my car.

I am not my grades, or my tuition or my transfer credits.

I am not my university or my house.

...or my church.

I am not my mother.

I am not my father.

I am not my skinny arms.

I am not my nice legs.

I am not my hair, which some days I love, and some days I despise, and some days I realize is not at all goddamn important.

I am not my computer.

I am not my clothing, or my cologne the shoes I wear.

I am not my piano, or the playing thereof.

I am not my writing, or my camera or my homework.

I am not my photographs.

I am not the people who don't like me.

I am not my cell phone, or my Facebook profile. Or my blog.

I am not my books.

I am myself,

...and I belong to God.

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells within you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy -- and that is what you are. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God." 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17, 21-23