Introduction to Chapter Two
In the next chapter we will explore step number two, learning to identify parts of our ego and how each part is just another aspect of ourselves that we may or may not be aware of but can usually see in others. This is accomplished when we are able to identify what part of ourselves is causing the desired or undesired behavior.
What you define as desired or undesired behavior is relative to how you perceive others’ behavior towards you. Do you desire to emulate the perceived behavior or not? Did experiencing behavior outside of yourself open your mind to some of your own behaviors, favorable or not?
Think about this, briefly opening up to accept new ideas about our existence. You must allow yourself to open your mind without fear. Separate yourself from any apprehension you may have and practice self-analysis, as if you are watching yourself in a movie. Take particular notice of other people’s behavior that you find particularly comfortable and other behavior that makes you uncomfortable. Try to notice a reflection of yourself in others and see if the person who displays personality traits that you admire reminds you of yourself at all. Make sure you do the same with the character traits that you don’t admire. Be brutally honest with yourself, not being ashamed to admit that by your own standards you have a few flawed character traits. You don’t have to tell the world about them, just think about them privately, admitting to yourself that they are there. Now you can begin to get rid of them.