RELEASING
Another process to practice is the ability to stay present with that inner experience without resisting it. In order to continue to grow the Expanded-Self, we follow the inner experience to its completion where there is some insight or resolution, which allows new experiences of ourselves. If we do not release this experience, we can not follow it and it becomes a block that keeps us from the flow toward wholeness. When there is no resistance, there is no struggle. When we can release, we are open to the universe flowing through us. This is experienced as Love, Ease, Peace, Bliss.

To stay connected to our inner-self, we release our attachment to anything that might cause us to lose the connection. For example, the main reason we would not seek revenge on another person is because we would have to give up our peace to do that, and it just isn't worth it.
   Click here for more information about the nature of "FLOW".
   Click here for a chart on "Recovering from Attachment".

SEPARATING
Another part of the inner journey is staying connected to our Expanding-Self while all about us may be invitations for us to lose ourselves in the expectations and beliefs of others.

In order to stay connected with our Expanding-Self we can transcend attachment in two different ways. Transcend means to get larger than the needs and expectations of the external world, and to become more expanded than the internal beliefs and perceptions that shrink us.

We can transcend the external
We must separate from those external things that prevent the connection to our inner, Expanding Self. We can be willing to let the needs and beliefs of others pass through us by staying separate from them.

We can transcend the internal
We must separate from those internal things that prevent the connection to our inner, Expanding Self. We can also expand beyond our ego consciousness which contain us in the old beliefs that no longer serve us.

When we are truly separated (expanded), we are available to be more fully connected to the part of ourselves more inclusive than the ego needs of ourselves or others. Our separation creates freedom to make the connection to the spiritual consciousness (Full self). We will not be abandoning our ego or not responding to the beliefs of other. We will be connecting to our higher guidance system in order to be more powerful and loving in our interaction with them.

Click here for more information on Transcendence, then use the 'back' button to return to this page.

DE-PERSONALIZE
A skill for maintaining a connection to our Inner Self is called de-personalization. This means not to take anything personally, and to watch the world from a separate place, which is a place of safe observation. This state of mind I call the Accepting Observer. From this perspective we do not get invested in the goals or expectations of others. We watch ourselves from a non-judgmental place where all that happens is interesting and without attachment. As we are tempted to shirk into lower consciousness, we remind ourselves that we have a choice about this.

Go to the Experiential Exercises page that accompanies these skills on 'Staying Connected with the Inner Self'.

Next session: Living from our Inner Self