First, there’s little Me. The
small self that is chock full of worries and fears, shoulds and judgments,
self-criticism and Victim thinking. This is likely to be a ghost of our
childhood, infected with whatever dysfunctional family virus has neither been
faced nor accepted. It’s generally a pain in the ass, and gets our attention
wandering away from our experience. Wherever we may still be stuck in past
fears and resentments fuels this immature, ego driven, insecure, approval seeking Self.
This voice can make us feel
dissatisfied and anxious even when our health, income and relationships are
doing just fine. This self uses the Reasoning Mind to create Reasons that
justify everything from our bonehead decisions to delusional expectations. This
Voice seduces us to live in our heads. It’s useful for having us investigate
potential threats, but it also sees threats behind every door, so, we have to
do a Reality Check when this self natters on and on.
Then there’s our Other Self, our "Real" Self…the
Person We Know We Could Be…that grand, talented, self-aware Mythic Self. OurSelves as The King, Queen, Muse, Hero,
Heroine or God/Goddess, in the story of our life. This is our Deep Self. Full
of insight, courage, humor, creativity, focus…and bearing whatever special
talents we happen to possess. This is the warm bright Voice
that floods the mind and body with hope, optimism, the pleasure of experience
and gratitude for your life. This Self, gifts us with creativity, gut feeling,
satisfaction, self-confidence, humor, compassion and acceptance.
We’re not as accustomed to listening to that
Voice. This Self accesses the Reasoning
mind to test, to validate or disprove through experience and inquiry what works
for you and what doesn’t. This Voice
encourages us to live experientially in action in the world.
And another Self is the Witness, the I AM- that “Still Small Voice” that observes without judgment all that we do and fail to do, all that we suffer and all that pleasures us…as if the very fact that we exist, that we breathe and AM is enough, no matter what the experience, grand, ugly or somewhere in between. Our Witness spinning yet in infinite stillness...a point of grounding, silence, and Being.
When we are still, we can notice the fears and follies of the Small Self, and instead of being bowled over by them, we can call on our Mythic Self for direction and courage to act.
When you find yourself heading down the Rabbit Hole, or about to board the Crazy Train, take a breath, find that moment between inbreath and outbreath when everything is still, and find the Self that is beyond turmoil and impervious to conflict; the I Am which is the balance point…providing the connection and peace that allows us to live is Joy.
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