【原文】
Equating the physical sense-perceived body with "I", the body that is destined to grow old, wither, and die, always leads to suffering sooner or later. To refrain from identifying with body doesn't mean that you neglect, despise, or no longer care for it. If it is strong, beautiful, or vigorous, you can enjoy and appreciate those attributes——while they last. You can also improve the body's condition through right nutrition and exercise. If you don't equate the body with who you are, when beauty fades, vigor diminishes or the body becomes incapacitated, this will not affect your sense of worth or identity in any way. In fact, as the body begins to weaken, the formless dimension, the light of consciousness, can shine more easily through the fading form.
【译文】
将感觉/知觉到的肉身等同於“我”,迟早会给人打来痛苦。肉身注定会衰老,枯萎,凋零。不将肉身当作我,并非是教你忽视,鄙视乃至于不再关心身体。若有强壮身体,充沛精力或俊美面容,我们不但该趁着它们逝去之前尽情享受并感激它们,更应加强营养与锻炼以增强与改善它们。只是,如果我们不将身体与“我”等同起来,就不会在容颜老去,精力减退,身体衰弱时,受到它们对个人的价值的判断和身份认同的影响。实际上,当身体开始衰老时,那不依赖于形体的意识之光便能更容易穿透正在腐朽逝去的形态,散发出耀眼的光彩。
【心得】
《我是谁 之一》中提到了,“我是谁”这个问题的答案,并不能“以我是某某”这样的形式来回答。这里强调的是,我不是我的身体。身体这一物质形态,注定了将在世间承受苦痛。它将在某些时刻强大无比,充满活力,也将会衰老,变弱,最终消失。虽然”我“最终也会伴随身体消失,但身体并不能等同与“我”。 “我”完全可以不受身体痛苦的限制,自由的探索与生活。