Self-discovery through self-loss

A journey of self-discovery is one many people undertake. Often with the goal of getting in touch with an inner purpose and core feelings - rather than blindly adhering to societal norms and peer expectations.

It’s a popular concept - self-discovery - extensively portrayed in literature and film. Not to mention new-age circles around the world.

The irony is that the self needs no discovery, being eminently pervasive and persistent in all our moments.

Each time we get angry, our self loudly interjects that we, or someone we care about, has been wronged. And our incensed sense of injustice demands something be done to address the offense.

Our self is front-and-center, ready to lead the charge.

In fact, every emotion we experience - whether positive or negative, slight or significant - represents our self rising up to say, “Here I am!” Truth be told, very little pioneering work is required to discover the self.

Even when we seek what we consider to be deeper truths such as purpose and meaning, we do so in the service of this personified self. How can my life have more meaning? What should I be doing here?

But I’d like to consider a different sort of self-discovery. One that is found through self-loss that leads to the recognition of the true Self.

The little “s” self is the one we identify as me. It’s all our goals and dreams. All our fears and guilt. All our conscious and unconscious ruminations. Our relationships. Our accomplishments and failures. Our meaning. Our purpose. Our legacy.

The capital “S” self, on the other hand, is none of those things. It is the awareness of connection with Source. With Oneness. With Truth. With Heaven. It is that it is.

And that Self is indeed worth discovering. Although re-discover is more appropriate as the Self is always present, never disguised. Our rapt attention on the self and its multitudinous layers of drama suppress any consideration of transcendence.

As we read in A Course in Miracles:

The concept of the self stands like a shield, a silent barricade before the Self, and hides it from your sight. All things you look on as through a barrier that dims your sight and warps your vision, so that you behold nothing with clarity. (T-31.VII.7)

But there is another way of seeing, beyond the self, that leads to the infinite peace of oneness.

This is the Self that never left Its home in God to walk the world uncertainly. This is the Self that knows no fear, nor could conceive of loss or suffering or death. (W-pI.94.3)

Self-discovery through self-loss. Not the loss of the body, nor even bodily-identity. Rather, the loss of certainty that we are who we believe we are.

Join me in Thursday’s class where we’ll explore this concept of Self-discovery and how we can practice returning awareness to the source of joy. I look forward to seeing you then.