The Question After Who am I?
When we walk, two hands swinging in harmony one after the other seem to indicate a barrier that keeps our path clear on our way to our destination. The feet may encounter a narrow path, but the mind does not have a defined path at all. It does in many different directions some due to our prodding but mostly on its own accord. It is very hard to bring the mind to obey us. But just like the two arms of the body, these two questions will always keep the mind on a straight and narrow path. These questions are “who am I?” and “what have I contributed?”. Even something as common as a visit to the grocery store cannot be completed unless we offer something in return (money) for the goods we purchase. The earth is like a giant grocery store. We take freely from it on an honor system. But few ask, what have we given back in return? The question “who am I?” seems simple enough on the surface but it is like a guiding light to the very depths of our being. When this question is pursued, thoughts of external showmanship will quickly disappear. Those three words have the power to strip us of all our prior conditionings. Standing naked and putting ourselves at the mercy of inner grace is not a sign of weakness but rather a statement of great strength. The first question, “who am I?” reaches far within, and the second, “what have I contributed?” spreads outwards into the world. Working in both directions, inner and outer is equally important.
