A Dhamma talk given through Zoom on 2024-05-24 by Ajahn Vajiro at Sumedharama Forest Monastery in Ericeira, Portugal. For more Dhamma talks, please visit sumedharama.pt. Questions asked: -I've recently been reflecting on and investigating a sense of identity, what that means and how it lives within. Please may I ask you to offer your thoughts on ascribed identity, that which others seek to impose upon us? I recognise that I have little control over this but find it troubling nonetheless. -Sometimes I have a lot of voices in my head. Some spiritual teachers say none of them are true. But maybe some can protect you or be intuitive, how does Theravada buddhism look at all these thoughts? Or how to deal with them, are they all not true? -How do we hold views on political events around us (war; autocratic leaders) so that we don't add to suffering? i incline to righteous indignation in responding to what's happening. "i'm right, they are wrong." a lot of contracting of the mind. also fear. also compulsiveness in following the events blow-by-blow -How do you speak to your body in times of sickness? How do you speak to your body when you’re ill and your immune system is not where you know it has been? Do you surrender to it or do you speak in a certain healing way to yourself?