20220422 - Watching Breath And Thoughts As Clouds

During the week I watched this video that describes the difference between the Ego self and True self, that I found really useful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfrkVMCif9M&ab_channel=JuliaKristinaCounselling Here’s a summary: The Ego is like this shield that is trying to protect us from shame. It is There is nothing wrong with it, but acting from it is usually not what we want because it keeps us stuck and unsatisfied. It doesn’t feel good. It has this inherent feeling of not-enoughness. It has this energy of trying to prove that we are smart enough, loveable enough, successful enough, kind enough or whatever it is that we don’t feel enough of. The ego is hustling for our worthiness. So it tries to protect us, but in the process it also keeps us from our authenticity. Acting from our authentic self is much more satisfying. There is a natural flow when we are coming from inside ourselves, just being who we are. Here are four ways to recognise if you are functioning out of Ego - Prove - Are you trying to prove something? Are you trying to prove that you are enough of something? - Protect - Am I trying to protect my vulnerability? For example, not reaching for what you want in order to protect yourself from failure, or actually protecting yourself from the shame that comes from failure because of critical self-talk. - Perfect - What can I perfect? We tend to believe that we need to be perfect in order to be enough. So in trying to be perfect we are trying to protect ourself from the fact that we are inperfect human beings. - Please - Who can I please? This is a way of trying to control other peoples thoughts and opinions about us. You know the difference between axiously people pleasing vs calmly and authentically giving. Four ways to know if you are functioning out of your Authentic / True self - Create - What can I create? What can I do that is interesting, intriguing and meaningful. How can I use my talents? - Contribute - What can I contribute? How can I make this world a better place? We’re not tring to prove something from this place. We are doing it because it feels good to contribute though being who we are. - Connect - How can I connect? How can I show up in my authenticity and communicate cleanly without any hidden agendas. - Cultivate - What can I cultivate? What can I build and grow?