On the one hand, we are not our bodies or our minds. On the other hand, we are everything, including our bodies and our minds. Here’s a poem that popped into my head after I spent a meditation trying to block out all unwanted thoughts and sounds.
That truck rumbling
That missing carburetor revving
That ceaseless airplane rumble
That interferes with your meditation
About being aware of your true self
That is you.
That distracting, unwanted thought
That yelling neighbor
That smell of smoke
All you
That angry honking car
That pleasant bird chirping
That calming ocean wave
That breath
That heartbeat
And all sensations beyond our notice
That is me.
That is you.