The Multiple Aspects of Self

This month’s blog is a companion to the January Monthly Video located below. The video is a 7-minute interview with my late teacher, Dr. Brugh Joy, who in my opinion was a brilliant teacher of consciousness.

The human mind has multiple aspects of self and these aspects are not integrated into a singular personality, as we may believe we are engaging our world from. When someone speaks of “their authentic self” or “coming from a clarity of mind”, I see this as being the aspect of ourselves that does not have fear as it’s motivation or intent. Fear, may well be the only component that separates all the aspects of our personality from the core self. It stands to reason then, that as we identify the fear within ourselves and clarify our intention behind everything we say or do then, we can begin the process of integration into a singular mind of strength and power. Compassion is the component that begins the process of integrating these separated aspects of the self into a more cohesive ego that is flexible and strong.

When I am in therapy with a client, I can pick up the split off aspects within the mind by listening to the voice structure, the words that are used, and the body mannerisms of the person. This clues me into how that individual is perceiving their situation and the illusions they are using to interpret the moment. The challenge lies for the individual to catch the distortions in their own perceptions (the perceptions that are fear-based), and then to shift to an aspect within themselves that has the resources to see clearly (not fear-based). Compassion or an open-heart allows this shift and integration to occur.

For example, everyone has experienced an argument, breakup or loss of a relationship in his or her life. Many times, if one is on the receiving end of a breakup, they may interpret this as their partner rejecting them, that they are not good enough, etc. They can feel overwhelmed with fear and grief that they are unlovable. These perceptions are a result of a general fear of not being loved or not being good enough that resides independent of the relationship. The break up of the relationship emphasizes this aspect of the psyche. What is not being understood is that the breakup has nothing to do with being unlovable but most likely is the result of the person doing the breaking off being confronted with an aspect of their own psyche projected onto the rejected partner or the relationship doesn’t fulfill what they need to explore next. It has completed. In this case, it would be beneficial for both individuals to claim their piece of the breakup (their experience of the breakup) and open their heart to compassion to these aspects within that are co-creating the relationship experience.

A second example, would be the judgment you may make upon a homeless person. That judgment allows for you to separate yourself from the conditions or the person. The aspect of your psyche that holds judgment for homelessness also is fear ridden regarding this situation. For example, you may have a deep fear of scarcity in your life, or a fear that you could lose control over your existence. When you allow yourself to experience compassion for your experience, allow for your experience to be, then you can begin the process of integration. The fear-based aspect will integrate into the ego aspect of strength without defensive structures. The judgment disappears and no longer exists.

Another example of the multiple aspects of the self creating our experiences occurred recently with a dear friend of mine who was diagnosed with leukemia. Her first chemo treatment was scheduled. She stated that she began the process of prayer and meditation and then felt a release within herself, the fear dissipated and she “accepted” the possibility of her death while also experiencing her desire to live her life fully. She reported after her first treatment, she went in to have her test completed and her physicians were amazed that the cancer was gone, completely gone. They declared her healing a miracle. According to my teacher, Dr. Brugh Joy, my friend, through her prayer and meditation, was able to access an aspect of her self that is cancer-free. Within that instance, she is…cancer-free.

The meditation below is a deepening meditation to help with the practice of shifting into the ‘observer’ state of consciousness of compassion so that aspects within our psyche that are fear-based are less likely to be activated.

(Meditation to come shortly)