Have you lost touch with your true self? Can you imagine reclaiming your true self?
For many of us this is a difficult topic. It brings up many questions. Will I like my true self? How do I know this isn’t my true self? Why would I want to reclaim my true self? How will it change my life? Is it even possible?
And, of course, even if you wanted to be your true self, it can seem like an impossible task. You don’t know where to start.
Read on for answers to these questions and a blueprint for reclaiming your true self.
How did you lose touch with your true self?
As we grow up we all learn how to fit into the culture where we are born. Don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements: a practical guide to personal freedom (1997), calls this process “the domestication of humans”. You learn what is acceptable and you are judged when you don’t follow the rules. Ruiz tells us “Everything you believe about yourself and the world, all the concepts, and programming you have in your mind, are all the mitote [or illusion]”. In other words, it is all learned.
Even if you understand that that you have been domesticated or programmed, it can be difficult to make changes. Where do you even start?
Answers to your questions
Before I give you the blueprint, let me answer some questions you may have.
- Is it possible to be my true self? Yes. Your true self never goes away. It is waiting for you buried under all that programming. All you need is a blueprint to help you reclaim your true self.
- Will I like my true self? Some people worry that all this programming is covering up a really flawed person. When you let go of your false self, you are going to discover that you are more wonderful than you could imagine. Many of my clients have been surprised by who they discovered.
- How do I know this isn’t my true self? If you are suffering, you are not your true self. All that programming creates suffering. Ruiz tells us that “Happiness is a choice, and so is suffering.”
- Why would I want to reclaim my true self? How will it affect my life? As Ruiz tells us we have a choice to live in heaven or hell. You can create a life worth living and you can be happy.
Finally… How do I get started?
Blueprint for reclaiming your true self
Here are three steps to help you reclaim your true self.
Step 1: Release your false or mask personality
Your mask personality defines how you relate to the world. It is the key that holds much of the dysfunctional programming in place. It is often defined by a question. Are you looking for approval or validation? Is the world a safe or a scary place? Do you need to have everyone like you? These are just a few examples.
Step 2: Release your false identity
Your identity defines how you relate to yourself. Do you judge yourself or accept yourself? Is your self-talk harsh or supportive? Do you have a lot of internal conflicts? The best way to relate to yourself is with love and acceptance.
Step 3: Release any limiting beliefs
These are false beliefs you adopted in childhood. Some examples include: “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not lovable” or “I don’t belong” or “I’m not smart”. These beliefs are not the true you.
When you are your true self you can start living the life you dream about.
What now?
I know this sounds like a lot of work. Unfortunately, releasing all the old programming you picked up over your life time cannot be handled with a few easy tips. You are more complicated than that.
By using this blueprint you will be focusing on the masks and programming that create the most problems. This is the fast track to becoming your true self.
Here are some of my posts that will help you dig deeper into your old programming.
Personality
Personality: How Do You Discover Your Personality?
Personality: Discovering Your True Personality
Identity
Why You Need Your False Identity
How Your False Identity Can Sabotage Your Happiness
How You Can Reclaim Your True Identity
Limiting beliefs
How Beliefs Can Limit You or Empower You
What Are Limiting Beliefs and What Can You Do About Them?
Before you get started, be sure that you know how to release emotions from the past. You can find more information here: Are you new to the site?
How would becoming your true self change your life? Leave me a comment and let me know what you are thinking.
(Image: James Jordan @ Flickr)
