Identity

Replacing planks, at what point is the boat a different boat?

This morning, I listened to Jay Shetty on the Calm app talk about identity and how we change over time.  He described the philosopher’s dilemma about a boat that has its planks replaced over time. 

At what point is the boat a different boat?

After the 1st plank or 300th?

The cells in our body are replaced every 7-10 years. 

So, are we different people?

When I was considering the boat situation, it occurred to me that perhaps the boat is more than its planks.  Is there a spirit of the boat?

Is it the experiences of the boat that make it unique?

Is there an aura about a boat based on all of the people, places, and things it has come into contact with – carrying with it fragments of the spirit of all that it connects with? 

Bathing my Eyes

I just finished a yoga class…at the end, the instructor invited us to consider in Shavasana how we are now different as a result of our practice that day.

River and Mountains

That question made me ponder my walk yesterday and the mountains and river with which I had the privilege of bathing my eyes.  I had been here before – and had felt changed slightly by the experience.  And now, as a different person, I was again being transformed. 

But my cells are still intact, as they were less than 7 years ago. 

So, what creates and recreates our world exactly?

Who are we really?

I often imagine I am a spirit with a spiritual life that chose to come down to earth into a body and live this particular life in space and time.  I chose my parents and the family I was born into with purpose and possibly even goals. 

What was I trying to achieve?

Or are we all here simply to experience life through a body for its sake?

We eat sometimes just to taste the flavour and enjoy the ambience. 

Is this world actually heaven and hell depending on where we find ourselves?

Do we have a choice in the matter?

Is there a collective mission or personal odysseys – or just the journey itself for the taking or leaving?

? ? ?

You’ve probably noticed by now I have more questions than answers.  Every time something seems true and real, a question arises that creates mystery and uncertainty and keeps me seeking. 

What do you wonder about?

What makes you – you?

What changes you?

Why are you here?

What do you want to experience in this life if you can choose?

And if we have the answers to these questions, does it change anything? Or is the pondering just part of experiencing life itself…