An example of the false self is whatever face of the ego at a young age you thought you had to adopt and live out in order to get love and worth ... the people pleaser, the super achiever, the savior, etc. This isn't who you really are, it's the mask that you wear to get love, attention and worth. We do this because we have bought into the notion that we are unworthy. This false self doesn't come from deep inner truth, it comes from desperation.
These ego disguises and defenses keep us feeling dislocated, frustrated, victimized and unsatisfied. It's not until we deconstruct the lies and stop subscribing to the mandate that we are unworthy and lesser than when we can cultivate an internal sense of worth. By allowing yourself to step into your authentic self we can find meaning and growth.
Bit by bit, whisper by whisper your higher self nudges you to dare to be authentic, to have the courage to live your truth. It can be scary because society is playing into the lie and will devour your spirit until you find the courage to deconstruct the lies and break free.
We can go beyond the ego through self awareness - awareness of our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and speech. Through awareness we begin to move beyond the ego to the true self. Awareness is a huge step toward making shifts. Paying attention, being mindful of how we feel, what we are thinking, what we are saying and how we are behaving.
Ask yourself ... Who am I without my roles, my possessions, my identities? Facing this and letting go of the false self allows us to step into the authentic self that we left behind as a child.
Remembering that you are something of essence, not something of substance. That you are a child of God with limitless possibilities. Remembering that we are powerful creators and that we are perfectly imperfect beings. That we are not our thoughts or feelings, that we are a spirit having a human experience. Remembering so that we can live our truth.