There is something both dramatically compelling and gently comical in the way our sense of self-importance expresses itself. We present ourselves, make ourselves heard, show who we are, try to create an impact. But for whom? For what?
How many people do we actually know — a few thousand at most? What they perceive of us is simply an image filtered through thousands of individual lenses of consciousness. Even our closest loved ones — family, friends — do not see who we truly are. What they see is their perception, not our essence.
Even more intriguing is that the image our ego holds about itself is just the same — unreal. Yet we believe in this fiction. We cling to it. We fear not being what others expect us to be — or what we expect from ourselves. The fortresses of self-justification defend our cherished “truth.” A heavily guarded position is often nothing more than fear of being exposed.
We cannot avoid being “someone” until we truly discover who we are. And when, after a long search, we believe we finally know — a small, quiet doubt slips in: Are you sure?
Our planet is home to billions of illusionists. With the images we believe about ourselves, we mislead the world — and ultimately ourselves. Media — especially social media — has become a perfect carrier and creator of this shared magic trick.
When awakening begins, there can be painful moments of recognition. And yet the whole play is somehow deeply loving. A child’s life is not shattered upon discovering that it is the parents — not a mystical being — who place the gifts under the tree. Awareness simply expands to include a larger truth. It was always done out of love — never from manipulation or harmful intent.
I sense awakening in a similar way. Behind the many unreal images, the underlying intention is pure: to eventually recognize their unreality. And then consciousness begins to open into Reality itself — a Reality that is loving and all-embracing, holding within it every illusion and every illusionist.
With love,
your traveling companion
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