Through observing our surface level reactions it is possible to recognize where we are not often being true towards ourselves - we act out of a false self rather than letting our soul shine through. In situations where we are not true towards ourselves we tend to form an ulterior existence, a facade, a false image of ourselves. In meditation we can find our attitudes, roles, beliefts begin to have less meaning and our true nature, our uninhibited self, begins to have greater meaning.

Prior to discovering our true self thoughts and emotions are often perceived as elements that make up a great part of ourselves. However during meditation we become aware that thoughts and emotions are points on a spectrum and just illustrate some basic parts of ourselves, and not our ultimate true self.

However our emotions and thought-patterns arise from our fundamental beliefs about the world. Even while meditation might cause a transcendence in consciousness, it will not often cause a shift in general self-awareness from the first attempt. Since most people live on a Surface I level their beliefs are often pushed into the subconscious and put on auto mode to feed relevant and acceptable thoughts, feelings and emotional states that match up to those beliefs.

Is that what we call freedom? It is comfortable - but it is not freedom.

Once we begin to see our true self in meditation the need for conflict is no longer there. The chart above that I created explains to some extent the reason behind conflict not being as much of a big deal when we begin to meditate on our true self - as oppose to defending the self that holds certain beliefs, religions, or agendas above all else.

In meditation on the true self we become aware that our emotions, attitudes and beliefs are just parts of ourselves – roles we play. Once we become aware of this our true self surfaces… The self that is compassionate, understanding, and aware. How can compassion be used as a tool to prove something right? How can understanding be used as a tool to fuel a political agenda?

In deeper states of meditation we can gain some insights into where our beliefs come from and here an even deeper transformation can come to light. In fact if we discover the source of consciousness from which our personal desires originate, then we gain a true sense of freedom. Not the freedom that comes from defending our beliefs, attitudes, and roles, but the freedom that comes from being. This is the freedom that no conflict can marginalize, no idea can dissipate, and no agenda can hide – it is who You are.