Who Do You Think You Are? Part 7
September 15, 2025
Who Do You Think You Are? Part 7
No one sees us exactly as we see ourselves. But as we live increasingly from our true nature, there is less of a gap between who we think we are, how others see us, and who we truly are.
Most others in our life see us through one lens and that is their opinion of who we are, based on their observations, experiences of us, biases, and projections. On the other hand, we see ourselves through the lens of what we know to be true of us, the lens of what we show to the world and the lens of how we want things to be which is our ideal. The only things we do not know about ourselves are the things in our shadow, which is our unconscious material we are not aware of. Interestingly, others may be aware of this hidden aspect of ourselves even if we are not.
Living from our true nature unearths our shadow material. Remember, the definition of the shadow: it is all the things about us we are unaware of, which includes talents, capacities, longings, intuitions, traumas, repressed experiences, hidden aspects, deeper drives, and more. For example, we may be unaware that our playing a musical instrument would come naturally to us. Or for instance, we may be unaware of a near downing experience at an early age that has been repressed. Also, we may be unaware that a part of us is racist, homophobic, or xenophobic. And we may be unaware of our hidden ability to endure the unspeakable.
Our shadow’s contents become clear as we embrace our true nature. How can this be so? When we peel back the ego’s fixations and live out of our essence, we experience ourselves without the defenses, narratives, prejudices, dualities, and strategies that cover our true nature. We are more honest with ourselves and about ourselves to others. This gives us the opportunity to make peace with ourselves, heal our inner conflicts, let go of what weighs us down, forgive our blindness, and to integrate our soul.
Without the layers of ego fixation, we see ourselves, others, and the world through different eyes. We see our deepest self— the pure qualities of essence that we were before the ego took hold. This is our soul child, who has the eyes of self-acceptance and acceptance of others. As adults we must remember our first identity, our essence, and allow it to lead us to deeper consciousness.
Spiritual practice: Hold a photograph of your soul child and look into that little being’s eyes. What would that soul child tell you about you?
Self-inquiry: Who do you think that you are?
Prayer: Dear God, Tell me my nature and my name. Amen
(from “The Gathering Prayer” by George Appleton)
