We Are Not Our Ego
There she goes again! Oprah’s online webinar with Eckart Tolle, the author of “A New Earth” is smoking up the Ethernet. It’s great to know that so many people are interested in a subject I am so passionate about – that we are not who we THINK we are. Over time I’ve learned that my conditioned ego is a fabricated self that bludgeons me with constant (and I mean constant!) thoughts about how I don’t measure up, am not good enough and need to fix myself. Sound familiar?
As I faced down the Big 5-O, it became apparent to me (after a great deal of kicking and screaming) that I did NOT want to spend the rest of my life being the victim of my past programming. I had at least 50 good years ahead of me, and if I’ve learned anything from the last 50, it’s that I don’t want to live them under the dark umbrella of other people’s expectations, or beliefs that were created when I was a child.
In order to become an Amazing Gray, I knew I needed to challenge these voices, dissect my limiting beliefs and let go of who I thought I was or who I thought I should be – so that I could live as I authentically am. Easier said than done. So many of us are so used to hearing these inner voices that we’ve come to believe that’s WHO we are. Not true.
How does one break free? Sitting still and allowing the voices to pass through our consciousness without grabbing hold of them is one way out. Practicing mindfulness is essential to quieting our inner chatter. Meditation, contemplative prayer, chanting, yoga, and qigong are all useful tools that help us to dis-identify from the voices within so we can stay centered and live from the compassionate core of our being.
What do you do to quell the voices and live more mindfully? I’d like to know!
March 25th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I saw my sister over Easter and she is REALLY into the Tolle/Oprah online class. She prints out the transcripts of the classes so she can go through it at her own pace. I read a bit of it and am surprised at how accessible it is. I’ll send her a link to your blog. I’m sure she’ll enjoy reading about how another woman is processing this info.
March 25th, 2008 at 7:47 am
Thanks Jacqueline. I’m so pleased that this conversation about dis-identifying with who we think we are and allowing our true nature to come forth has taken off in such a big way. This perspective has been part of my own spiritual practice for many years. The older I got, the more imperative it became to live in the moment. Is this something that resonates with you as well?