Living Without Attributes
Have you ever paused to wonder who you truly are beyond the labels and qualities you use to define yourself? We often think of ourselves through attributes like our roles, feelings, thoughts, or even our physical appearance. But what happens when we strip these attributes away?
Imagine a practice where you deliberately remove every attribute and quality from your sense of self. You’re left without any labels, feelings, or ideas. You’re neither happy nor sad, neither successful nor failing. You’re simply present, alert, aware—but completely unidentified with anything that arises within your experience. This is the essence of living attributelessly.
Practicing being without attributes is about staying empty yet fully mindful. When you’re in this state, you don’t latch onto any quality, thought, or sensation. You exist in pure freedom, untouched by the illusions of your everyday experiences. This state of freedom is not easily described because it exists beyond words and concepts. As the ancient sages put it, it’s “not this, not that,” or “neti-neti.”
Why practice being attributeless? Because attributes bind us. When we identify strongly with thoughts, feelings, or roles, we become limited by them. Our true nature is pure freedom, free from any definition. When we recognize and stay aware that we are without attributes, our minds become clearer, subtler, and purer. We begin to experience the deep truth that nothing perceptible defines who we truly are.
Yet, the journey to attributelessness isn’t about denying or rejecting life. It’s not about avoiding feelings, sensations, or experiences. Instead, it’s about understanding deeply that while experiences happen, you are never confined by them. They appear and vanish like clouds in the sky, but you—the true self—remain limitless and unchanged.
This practice is powerful both in meditation and in everyday life. In meditation, you can experience directly that you exist even without your body, mind, or thoughts. It’s like entering an expansive state of openness similar to space, confirming the reality that you are far more than what appears.
Even more practical, however, is applying this understanding in daily life. Whether you’re interacting with family, friends, or navigating challenges, remain mindful that no experience defines you. Emotions, roles, and relationships will arise, but with strong inner awareness, they won’t confine you. They become transparent, fleeting experiences that cannot grasp your true self.
Ultimately, even the highest spiritual attributes—like the sense of “I am” or pure awareness—are still attributes. They’re subtle, beautiful, and divine, yet they too are appearances. Your true nature transcends even these. Recognizing this brings profound freedom, joy, and peace because you’re no longer trying to define the undefinable.
The great spiritual traditions all echo this wisdom. As it says in the Bhagavad Gita:
“He who sees the Supreme Lord abiding equally in all beings, not perishing when they perish—he sees truly.” — Bhagavad Gita 13:27
In other words, your true self never perishes or changes, regardless of life’s endless attributes and appearances. You remain eternally free.
To embrace this attributeless state requires patience, mindfulness, and determination. Yet, the rewards are immense—a sense of true freedom, clarity, and boundless joy. You realize deeply that you’re not defined by any appearance, sensation, or quality. You’re limitless and free.
Begin your practice today. Notice each attribute that arises, and gently remind yourself, “This is not who I am.” With consistent practice, you’ll discover a deeper, purer awareness—a self that is truly unidentified and free.
Quote:
“Freedom is not found by identifying with what you perceive, but by realizing that you are beyond all attributes.” — Bentinho Massaro
Key Takeaways:
- You are not your attributes: Your true self isn’t defined by your thoughts, feelings, body, or experiences. These are all temporary and constantly changing.
- True self is “unidentified” or “attributeless”: Like the open sky, your core essence remains untouched by the “clouds” (thoughts, feelings) that pass through.
- Freedom is your nature: When you realize you’re not bound by attributes, you experience a profound sense of freedom that cannot be defined or limited.
- This practice brings clarity: Letting go of identification makes your mind subtler and more able to perceive your true, boundless nature.
- It’s a powerful shift: Understanding that you are the “screen” on which life’s “movie” plays allows you to observe experiences without being overwhelmed by them.