The Search for Identity.

In this episode, Eckhart talks with an audience in Prague.

He explains that most people are searching for an identity,

and for many that leads to disappointment.

Eckart uses the word dukkha, which in Buddhism means suffering.

He explains most of us are consumed with thoughts about our problems,

which become part of our identity.

He says, we also define ourselves through externals, our bodies, our possessions, and even our ancestry becomes an identity.

Eckhart says many people don't realize they are unhappy because they think it's a normal state.

Eckhart explains, we're looking in the wrong place

because we discover our true identity when we awaken spiritually.

Well, we finally made it to this beautiful city. It's taken a few years. Everybody seems to be quite present

already. Present, of course, can have a conventional meaning. You are present physically,

obviously.

And then there's another meaning to presence.

Is your attention fully in the present moment?

Or is your attention being absorbed by the thinking mind? And then you're only here peripherally,

there's only a part of you that's here,

but most of you is thinking about something.

And then you're not, spiritually speaking,

then you're not fully present,

or you're not present at all.

...