He had been at this for decades.
Meditation retreats, teachers, books worn soft at the edges. He could quote Rumi in his sleep and explain non-duality with the precision of a surgeon. Friends whispered that he was “advanced.” And perhaps he was. He no longer clung to possessions or status. His days were quiet, uncluttered, peaceful.
But one evening, while rinsing dishes, it happened.
A plate slipped and shattered on the floor. A small thing—ceramic shards, a splash of water, nothing more. Yet, in that moment, a flash of heat rose in his chest. Anger. Shame.
Not much, just enough.
And with it, a thought: “I should be past this.”
It was so fast, so quiet, he almost missed it. The voice of identification—small, ordinary, invisible. Not the roar of ego, but a whisper: “This is happening to me. This means something about me.”
He stopped. Plate fragments glittered on the tiles like little mirrors.
For years he had imagined that identification was something dramatic: a full-blown collapse into fear or rage. But this—this subtle tightening in the gut, this reflex to defend, explain, justify—this was it.
He bent down, picked up a shard, and saw his face reflected in it. And for the first time in weeks, he actually looked.
The Recognition Guide
He didn’t try to fix it. Instead, he followed a simple sequence:
Pause. No story, no judgment. Just stop long enough to feel what’s here.
(He put down the broom. He breathed. The feeling in his chest pulsed, raw and unedited.)Notice the Sensation. Where is it? Heat? Tightness? A knot?
(There—a twisting low in the belly. No words, just sensation.)Ask: “Does this belong to anyone?”
(He looked directly at it. No answer came. Just silence.)Watch for the Story. Every sensation carries a story—“I failed,” “I should be better,” “This is me.”
(The thought appeared: “I should be past this.” He saw it. Just another story.)See the Collapse. Without a believer, the story loses weight. The sensation remains—bare, simple, innocent.
(And then it was just a knot. Nothing personal. No owner.)
The Realization
He stood there with the broom in hand, laughing quietly. Not because anything had changed, but because it didn’t need to.
This was the work. Not climbing higher. Not purifying anything.
Just this:
Seeing identification appear.
Recognizing it as empty.
Letting it vanish in the seeing.
The plate was still broken. The floor still needed sweeping. And yet, there was no one left to be “good” or “bad” at any of it.
Just the sound of bristles on tile, the smell of dish soap, and the quiet, unclaimed hum of life doing itself.
Reflection: Spotting Identification in Real Time
Try this now—don’t think about it, look.
1. Pause and Scan
Stop whatever you’re doing. Close your eyes for 10 seconds.
Where is the tension? Chest? Belly? Jaw?
2. Drop the Labels
Don’t call it “fear” or “anger” or “resistance.” Just feel the raw sensation.
What is it like—tight, heavy, buzzing?
3. Ask the Cut-Through Question
“Does this belong to anyone?”
Wait. Don’t answer with words. Just look.
4. Watch for the Hook
A thought may appear: “This is about me. I failed. I should fix this.”
See it. Don’t fight it. Just notice: it’s a story trying to claim the feeling.
5. Let It Be Bare
Without the story, the sensation is just… sensation.
No owner. No meaning. No problem.
Stay here for a few breaths.
6. Return to Ordinary Life
Open your eyes.
Notice: nothing needs to be “resolved” for this to be free.
For more pointers and suggestions, check out this link to vince-bot using the website as its knowledge base.
Vince Schubert YouTube Channel
Free online meetups every Saturday at 9 pm (Sydney Australia time)
and one each Monday 7 am ( Sydney Australia time)
and each Wednesday at 4 pm (Sydney Australia time)
and every Friday 7 am (Sydney time) - never published. Only available to participants who request it by email.
You can check your local time here:
Or visit the website for countdown timers to each meeting.
Please note that it's always the same time on the same link. Arriving late and leaving early is fine.
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86991485768?pwd=WkIvNk9zS1Q0VlVMR3lENW12Um5DQT09
Here is a link to all of the published recordings.
Audio files can be found here:
There is also paid 1on1 (& also 2 on 1) guiding here: With vince &/or Marius
Although the website still requires a lot of work, there are resources here; WakingUpWithVince.com
..and more here; WakingUpWithMarius
Given the multitude of small costs (that add up to something significant) required to produce these offerings, please consider donating whatever you can comfortably afford. Moneys over and above running costs are directed to the establishment of Suan Jai Sanctuary.
..and remember - lots of little bits make a big bit. ❤️
✨🤗🙏