I get it perfectly. Something for me to remember. I am a poet so the metaphor is as clear as an ocean with waves that like life ebb and flow.

Thank you so much for your reply! It does make sense, definitely.

In my case I have two backpacks! OCD only diagnosed at age 50, but manageable, and the neurosis backpack. I am still at a stage that involves (forgive the pun) unpacking which feelings are due to which of these two - they affect each other.

But the metaphor still holds, because they both "don't = me".

If I go out with some nice people and have a drink, a "best possible" me shows up... sociable, empathic, good-humoured, even witty at times.

I don't think that's totally "the real me", but it makes me aware that I include that. However, in that case, presumably SOME of the stones I carry aren't in the backpack either! They are my "natural" faults, I include them too.

Unless... this "real me" we're taking about is the detached, "Zen", observing me that Eckhart Tolle, Alan Watts et al talk about?

So I guess the true challenge is understanding that as a mere human I must love me with MY "natural" faults, but I must also care for myself over the stones that "other people/ life" put in my backpacks.

It reminds me of that saying "... grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

But it's an ongoing process, and I my parents brought me up as their "little boy genius", which nurtured my arrogance and alienation stones. I'm working on those!

Please excuse my ramblings. In summary, yes, I definitely agree with the backpacks analogy. And I'm still trying to figure out who/what is the "I who carry them" part of the analogy!