25:30

Who Am I?

by ciska matthes

Rated
4.6
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Experienced
Plays
399

'Who am I?' is an essential question for the true seeker. Since confusion and suffering always go together with a misperception of who we are, investigating this matter is necessary for liberation. In this meditation, you will be guided to observe how all thoughts and feelings are fleeting; yet that which perceives them is not. So, who or what is experiencing life? Sit down and quietly explore this question now. And discover the peaceful, timeless presence you are. This track contains ambient sounds in the background

Self InquiryBody AwarenessAwarenessNon IdentificationThoughtsLiberationPeacePresenceAmbient SoundsBreath ObservationThought ObservationBreathing

Transcript

Let's start by taking a deep breath.

And becoming aware of our presence.

Feel the body here.

Changing sensations of sitting.

Some pressure,

Some tingling.

Notice how you can perceive and observe the body.

And actually the body is just a concept.

What we perceive in fact is just sensations here and there.

And they're never the same.

They're always changing.

Moving.

Somehow knowing that this is what we call the body.

Some faint image of a body.

Just observe all that.

And now.

Also notice how the body is breathing.

The breath is just happening.

Body is breathing naturally.

It doesn't even really make sense to say,

I am breathing.

And observing the breath,

The movement of the breath.

As it comes and goes.

You could ask yourself these most important questions.

Who am I here?

The body is observed.

What is observing the body?

Have a look.

It's not an analytical question in the sense you don't have to practice philosophy about it.

But investigate by direct looking.

What is observing?

Can we see that which is observing?

So the answer may arise.

I am observing the body.

I am observing the breath.

The next question could be,

But who am I?

Who am I observing?

And look.

There's nothing you can find.

There's no visible observer.

Yet clearly you are here.

Clearly there is a presence,

An awareness,

A knowing.

Still experiencing the body.

Still observing the breath.

Notice if there's a conditioned response or an automatic conclusion.

This is me.

This body is me.

Then investigate.

What does it mean?

The body is perceived.

The breathing is perceived.

So this means that you or something is observing the body.

While observing,

It cannot be that you are merely the body.

The body is leading its own life,

Creating its own sensations,

Its own movements.

Are you rather the body itself or the one observing the body?

Again,

Are these sensations that are felt,

Is it you or are you rather the one observing the sensations?

Who or what is it that is observing all of this?

If the answer comes,

It's me.

Then question further,

Who am I?

And look.

If the mind creates an image,

Then observe that noticing image.

Are you this image?

Or is the image happening in you?

Are you just observing?

The point of this question is not to find a conceptual answer,

Not even to say,

Oh,

I'm awareness.

The point is to keep looking and see.

No person to be found,

Just presence.

Let's continue with the thoughts,

So that many thoughts may appear.

What is this all about?

What am I going to do?

And so on,

Whatever kind of thoughts.

Maybe many thoughts about me.

To whom are these thoughts appearing?

You may say to me,

Who am I then?

Investigate,

Who am I?

And acknowledge the space or spaciousness and the silence that follows this question.

The sense of presence.

Who is experiencing all of this?

If the answer comes,

It's me,

I experience.

Who am I?

And look.

Who am I?

In any moment,

There is some experience.

An experience of thinking,

Of hearing,

Feeling,

Maybe even smelling or tasting.

Who is the one experiencing this moment?

Can the one who's hearing be found?

Can you see him or her inwardly?

Who is looking inside anyway?

Can this one be seen?

Can the looker be seen?

And again,

If the answer arises,

It's me,

It's me,

I am seeing,

Then question,

Who am I?

And acknowledge the silence and the spaciousness that follow the pure presence.

Is it not important to know who you are?

We often live in the idea of who I am and my problems,

My goals,

My stories,

My fears and desire and so on.

Most important to find out who am I really?

And see,

There is no such person.

You will not find anyone like that.

Those are memories,

Thoughts,

Opinions.

To King,

To whom do all these thoughts arise,

These ideas?

There's no one there,

There's just this presence,

Clear awareness.

I keep asking this question,

Who am I?

And look.

To find there is no one there like you imagined,

Most liberating.

Who am I?

Who am I?

Who am I?

Who am I?

Meet your Teacher

ciska matthesAmsterdam, Netherlands

4.6 (42)

Recent Reviews

Shannon

November 20, 2022

Thank you. This track is very peaceful and grounding.

Jimmy

December 9, 2021

Solid pointing out, nice pace, and just enough to keep focus with being distracting.

Mark

December 4, 2021

A perfect balance between instruction and silence. Would be pleased if there was a shorter version, perhaps half as long.

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© 2026 ciska matthes. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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