Consider Oneness and Pluralness

Define Your Deepest Self

A wider identification, the realization of the “Deepest Self,” and a deep ecological consciousness all refer to essentially the same perspective—the one that minimizes boundaries and separateness. I like the term “Deepest Self” because it implies a self with depth. This “Deepest Self”—often referred to as the “Highest Self,” the “Higher Self,” or the “Greater Self”—is not interested only in acquiring things, is not interested in being better than anyone else, and is not interested in defeating others. Acquiring things, outdoing others, and defeating enemies are some of the defining interests of the Ego. The Deepest Self may enjoy possessions, but will never be possessed by them. Make sure it is the Deepest Self and not the Ego that is running your life. You know it is the former when you feel expansive.

It is next to impossible to realize your Deepest Self when you are angry, when you are stressed, when you are not thinking clearly, when your speaking is ineffective or hurtful, and when you are excessively tired. During these times you may feel that your breathing is shall, rapid, tight, or tense. The following activity, adapted from the book Stress Free For Good by Dr. Fred Luskin and Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier, will help you improve your breathing so that you can lower your stress enough to perhaps realize your Deepest Self.

To The Breath Of Stress-relief…