One of the most difficult challenges of consciousness practice is experiencing the truth of who we really are. This can be a humbling experience. When you work with projection, a process I cover in previous blogs, you encounter aspects of yourself by recognizing the projections onto others. Many of these projections you would insist are not in any form a part of your personality. But, if there is judgment toward that characteristic, then chances are the shoe fits on your tiny foot.

You could, for example, run into the greediest person who has ever walked the planet. You would, within your own mind of course, state, “Why I am in no way like this awful individual. I am giving and generous.” Then you would go down the list of things and situations in which you have been generous and caring. After completing that list you instantaneously feel so much better. What you have completed within your mind a process that individuals who work this practice call, “Ego-defense”. You have in essence defended your ego against a deep seated fear and have robbed yourself of an opportunity to grow in consciousness awareness.

The deep-seated fear could be your discomfort at being seen as greedy or a deep fear of not feeling safe if you have nothing. The way to uncover that fear is to go into your reactivity from a heart-centered focus and keep peeling away the layers of defense until you are at the essence of your fear. Then by sitting and being present with your fear from the place of heart-centered awareness and compassion, you can break through this illusion.

What does this do, this break-through? It strengthens the ego in a good way not in the illusion of ego-defense. The break-through also pushes you through the reactive projection. You can be with a greedy person and not have any judgments toward that individual but will only experience compassion because you understand that person’s fear. The more compassion you have for others as you go about your day gives rise to a greater quality of experience in your life. Also, you humble yourself by understanding that everyone, including yourself have many fears that we defend against. You also humble yourself by understanding that everyone is  a reflection of you…both the good, the bad and the ugly. This is the ultimate truth of who we really are.