Who are you?

You have a physical body - but if you had to have a leg amputated, you'd still be you. You are more than just your body. As we've seen, the physical body is represented by Malkuth.

You have a subconscious; you can dream and imagine - but you are more than just your dreams. The subconscious is represented by Yesod.

You have an intellect; you can think. The French philosopher Rene Descartes said "I think, therefore I am". True, you must exist to be able to think - but you are more than just your thoughts. The intellect is represented by Hod.

You have feelings and emotions; you can laugh and cry. Sometimes you can get so bogged down in your emotions, it feels as though that's all there is. But you are more than just your feelings. The emotions are represented by Netzach.

Tiphareth is above all these sephirot - it includes Malkuth, Yesod, Netzach and Hod. It is the YOU that has a body, dreams, thoughts and feelings.

Sit or lie down with your back resting against a tree. If it's not a nice day or you don't live near any trees, you can do this in a chair instead and imagine you're lying against a tree.

Be aware of how you feel physically. Are you comfortable? Hot or cold? Be aware of every physical sensation - the sensation of sitting. Notice any itches or aches. Notice any pleasant sensations - the breeze through your hair, for example.

Now be aware of your thoughts as they flit in and out. Don't try to control them - just notice them. What are you thinking about? Notice them - whether they're nagging thoughts worrying about something, or pleasant thoughts looking forward to something, or recalling something.

How do you feel? Happy or sad? Excited, calm, anxious? Get in touch with your emotions - don't be overwhelmed by them, just notice them.

Now it's time for the real you to come out...

Imagine that you are climbing out of your body and climbing the tree to a branch directly overhead. Stay in the same position, but imaging your "inner you" looking down on your body as you lie against the tree.

Describe what you see, using your name instead of "I". Describe what the person looks like, what they're feeling physically, what they're thinking and what they're feeling emotionally. For example, "There's Chris, lying by the tree. He looks quite happy and content. He is fairly comfortable, apart from a slight pain where he stubbed his toe. He's thinking about what he's going to do when he goes on holiday, and who he should ask to feed his cat while he's away. He's also worrying about whether an important letter he's waiting for is going to arrive before he goes away. Chris is feeling quite positive, and is getting quite excited about his holiday. He's also feeling a little sad because a friend of his passed away recently, and he's feeling a bit annoyed because he's having a dispute with his telephone company."

You're detached from this person sitting under the tree. You can sense their feelings, thoughts and sensations - so you're aware of them, but you're not wallowing in them. Does it feel any different, looking down on yourself from a different perspective? Can you detach from this person temporarily? If you are going through a crisis, and you're bogged down in your emotions, you may not be able to. If you're in serious physical pain, you may not be able to. If you do have the ability to detach it can be very useful indeed - to be able to see your thoughts, feelings and sensations, and put them into perspective.

When you've finished, climb down the tree again and go back into your body. Sit still for a few minutes, and close your chakras.