ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a survey of the concept of identity, showing how it has been put under question in Late Modernity, and how it definitely collapsed in Postmodern times. During the twentieth century, not only had the issue of identity become an object of study for countless scientists, philosophers, anthropologists, sociologists, and psychologists, but it has also gradually grown as a basic concept of folk psychology and of the media discourse. Identity, whether being of group, nation or race, needs clear and solid borders which can turn into walls, separating us from the 'barbarians'. To be plausible, identity must be impenetrable from the influences of the 'others' as they are felt as contaminations. The chapter examines different point of view, that of the Buddhist mindfulness/awareness meditation, discovering not only that groundlessness can be a source of delight, but that through it people can also recover their inner nature as compassionate beings.
