Week 6 — The Sense of Self

In the previous weeks, you explored awareness, thought, sensation, Inter-Being, and Sacred Wholeness. Each of these practices gently loosened the sense of separation that often underlies stress.

In Week 6, attention turns toward something very familiar and very powerful: identity.

Stress is rarely just about circumstances.
It is usually about who we think we are in relation to those circumstances.

This week invites a simple inquiry:

What is the “self” that feels stressed?

This is not a philosophical question.
It is something to be explored directly in experience.

Key Idea for This Week

Identity is not a single, solid thing.

It is a collection of:

• thoughts,
• images,
• memories,
• roles,
• and sensations,

all arising within awareness.

When identity is taken to be fixed or threatened, stress increases.
When identity is seen as an experience rather than an essence, stress often softens naturally.

Core Practice

Investigating the Sense of “Me”

This practice invites you to notice how the sense of self appears, without trying to remove or improve it.

Nothing needs to be changed.

Guided Audio Script

Begin by settling into a comfortable position.

Let the body rest naturally.

[pause]

Notice that awareness is already present.

Just as in previous weeks.

[pause]

Now gently notice the sense of being someone.

Not the story of who you are—
but the felt sense of “me.”

[pause]

This sense may appear as:

• • a feeling in the body,
  • a mental image,
  • or a background assumption.

There is no correct way for it to appear.

[pause]

Notice that the sense of “me” is being experienced.

That means it is appearing within awareness.

[pause]

Now notice thoughts about yourself.

Labels.
Descriptions.
Roles.

These thoughts may say, “I am this way,” or “I should be different.”

Let them arise without argument.

[pause]

Notice that these thoughts come and go.

Does awareness change when a self-thought appears?

[pause]

Now gently ask—not verbally, but by noticing:

Where exactly is the one who is stressed?

Is it in the body?
In thought?
In sensation?

[pause]

Notice that stress often appears as a combination of:

• • bodily sensation,
  • mental narrative,
  • and a sense of personal meaning.

All of these are experiences.

[pause]

See if the sense of “me” feels solid… or shifting.

Continuous… or momentary.

[pause]

You are not trying to get rid of identity.

You are simply noticing how it functions.

[pause]

Rest here for a few moments.

Awareness noticing identity.

Nothing else required.

[pause]

When you are ready, gently allow the practice to end.

Notice that identity continues.

Notice that awareness continues as well.

After the Practice

You may have noticed:

• a strong sense of self,
• a vague sense of self,
• or moments where identity felt less central.

All of these are normal.

The key insight this week is not that identity disappears, but that:

• identity is experienced,
• awareness is not an identity,
• and stress often depends on taking identity to be fixed or threatened.

Informal Practice for the Week

When stress arises, pause briefly and ask:

“Who is this happening to?”

Do not answer conceptually.

Simply notice what appears:

• thoughts,
• sensations,
• emotions,
• images.

Let awareness include them.

Reflections

You may reflect on one or more of these questions:

• Did identity feel solid or fluid?
• What elements made up the sense of “me”?
• How did stress change when identity was observed rather than assumed?

Important Clarification

This practice does not mean you should abandon your personality, responsibilities, or roles.

Identity is useful.

The aim is simply to notice when identity becomes rigid, defended, or over-identified, and to rediscover the awareness in which identity appears.