Who are you? When you start to explore this question you find out how elusive it really is Are you a physical body? A collection of experiences & memories? A partner to relationships? Each time you consider aspects of yourself you realize that there is much more to you than any of these can define In this book spiritual teacher Michael Singer explores the question of who we are & arrives at the conclusion that our identity is to be found in our consciousness the fact of our ability to observe ourselves & the world around us By tapping into traditions of meditation & mindfulness Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment & let go of painful thoughts & memories that keep us from achieving happiness & self-realization Divided into five parts the book offers a frank & friendly discussion of consciousness & how we can develop it In part one he examines the notion of self & the inner dialogue that all of us live with Part two examines the experience of energy as it flows through us & works to show readers how to open their hearts to the energy of experience that permeates their lives Ways to overcome tendencies to close down to the rest of the world are the subject of part three Enlightenment & the embrace of universal consciousness are the subject of part four & finally in part five Singer returns to daily life & the pursuit of unconditional happiness Throughout the book maintains a light & engaging tone free from heavy dogma & prescriptive religious references The easy exercises that figure in each chapter help readers experience the ideas that Singer presents