Returning to Pools of Identity

Passage 16 - Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu - Translated by Stephen Mitchell

At times we all have a strong sense of self driven by our egos.

At times like these, our egos and self are intertwined in a

braid that can be difficult to untangle. 

As we live our lives and build our reality around ourselves,

we may find that our sense of self and ego are being challenged.

For example, when we are confronted with feelings of doubt

or feeling  like an imposter in business.

These feelings are very normal when we are raising the stakes higher

for ourselves and are required to take action with a new version of ourselves.

Imposter syndrome is common when we are managing teammates

for the first time, when we are making more money or even as we are of service to others. 

Once we bring to light our whole self, it’s natural for us to feel the uncertainty

of what we are doing and who we are even more so - we might even question our sanity. 

When we have identified with a particular version of ourselves for so long, 

the questioning that comes with new levels can be frightening as everything

we thought we knew about ourselves becomes more alien to us. 

And then we feel insecure.

When this feeling arises, it’s natural to curl deeper into who

we think we are (or who others think we are) and grip

onto this identity with more strength than before.

But what if we leaned into the swelling sense of the unknown?

What would we discover? 

How would we feel? 

Once we surrender a sense of identity,

we become committed to the mission in a way that

transcends personal motives, biases, feelings and opinions.

Because once we release the idea of ourselves as set in stone

(this, but not that or that, but not this)

we awaken to the truth that we are everything

and soon we have no identity to protect. 

We are free to be a vessel of service to a mission greater than our own opinions.

What this may look like is the instinct to be silent

instead of giving an opinion especially when it comes

to liking or commenting on posts. 

As representatives of a brand mission,

we now can move as true ambassadors of the mission

and we can take on the idealogy of the mission

with no regard for a personal reputation.

With both ego and physical death comes a consolidation

and return of all we know and are.

We can remember the awe and flow that were given from birth,

and be greatly humbled by it, for it resounds within us far deeper than our egos.

Remembering where we come from we can

find peace in just being - no matter where

we are in life.

This peace can restore a sense of purpose to our existence.

If you are made to simply exist —

can this be enough for you?