Your Person Pack
Ajahn Succitto, a Buddhist monk and teacher, referred in one of his teachings to the “Person Pack”.
This is the baggage we all hump around with us, made up of our genes, experiences, beliefs, feelings, preferences and so on.
Some of us are lucky enough to have lighter packs than others- born into relative prosperity, less in the way of childhood trauma, better physical health, more attractive appearance.
We keep adding to these packs, especially as we experience difficulties in relationships, illness, loss, things that are hard or impossible to avoid.
The point he was making was how we suffer by identifying closely with this Pack, believing that is, in fact, who we are.
Therapy can help us to open out the pack and examine its contents, to see what is necessary to carry, and what no longer serves us. We can look at what needs to be mended, what needs to be discarded if possible, and help us to travel a bit lighter.
