A Spiritual Freedom: An inner condition that requires continual cultivation and retuning

 Ego - noun In psychoanalytic theory, the portion of the psyche experienced as the “self” or “I.” It is the part that remembers, evaluates, plans, and in other ways is responsive to and acts in the surrounding physical and social world.

 Developed to cope with a lack of:  Love  Acceptance  Security  Ability to trust  Contentment  Control (perceived)

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 How you respond is directly related to life experiences.  Is it what you “DO” for work?  Is it what we are striving for?  A sense of accomplishment  A promotion  A job title  Having Kids  Is it what we have amassed in life  A large house  Great cars  Grand Vacations  Marital Status  ETC………

 Requires a spiritual awakening  Change the direction we look for happiness  Outward to Inward  Requires healing old wounds  Emotional hurts  Suppressed feelings  Recognizing the emotional response  Notice it  Name it  Honor it  Give it up

 One can never enter into the true self without “letting go” or through a form of dying.  What does that mean?  What are you holding on to?  What are you afraid to lose? Your HealthYour hair Your memoryYour money Your jobYour house A loved oneYour health

 We have heard this over and over again  Have been taught this through the Pascal Mystery  It starts with concrete decisions  To spend more time with your spouse  To talk to your kids about a difficult topic  To reach out to an enemy  To wake up a half hour early to meditate  See it every day  Caterpillar becomes a Butterfly  Fall turns to winter and winter to spring – A rebirth

 Who am I? A realistic view of who you are  Takes reflection  Journaling  Prayer/Discernment  What is my calling? Living it fully  Gifts and talents  Where is it leading me?

Who am I? What am I most afraid of losing?