Immortal Diamond

1. The True Self is our eternal identity in God

Your True Self is who you are, and always have been in God, and at its core, it is love itself.

Divine DNA. Our True Self is our deepest identity, the part of us that is one with God. It's not something we create or earn, but rather an inherent gift that we discover. This eternal self is:

• Unchanging and indestructible
• The source of our deepest wisdom and joy
• Connected to all of creation

Beyond ego. Unlike our False Self, which is preoccupied with image and achievement, the True Self finds peace in simply being. It doesn't need to prove its worth or compete for love and attention. The True Self is content to exist as a unique expression of divine love in the world.

2. The False Self is our temporary, ego-driven identity

Your False Self is who you think you are. Your thinking does not make it true.

Constructed identity. The False Self is the identity we create to navigate the world and protect ourselves. It includes:

• Our social roles and titles
• Our achievements and possessions
• Our carefully curated public image

Inherent limitations. While the False Self isn't inherently bad, it's ultimately temporary and unsatisfying. It's driven by fear, comparison, and the need for external validation. The False Self can never truly satisfy our deepest longing for love and connection because it's always trying to prove its worth rather than resting in its inherent value.

3. Resurrection is the transformation of the False Self into the True Self

Resurrection is not woundedness denied, forgotten, or even totally healed. It is always woundedness transformed.

Death and rebirth. Resurrection isn't just a one-time event, but an ongoing process of transformation in our lives. It involves:

• Letting go of our False Self's illusions and attachments
• Embracing our True Self's identity in God
• Integrating our wounds and failures into a larger story of love

Ongoing journey. This transformation doesn't happen all at once, but gradually as we learn to die to our False Self and live from our True Self. It's a process of becoming more fully alive, more fully ourselves, and more fully connected to God and others.

4. Love is the essence of our True Self and stronger than death

Love is both who you are and who you are still becoming, like a sunflower seed that becomes its own sunflower.

Unconditional love. At our core, we are love itself – a unique expression of God's infinite love. This love:

• Is not earned or based on performance
• Embraces all aspects of ourselves and others
• Transcends death and gives meaning to life

Growing in love. As we discover and live from our True Self, we become more capable of giving and receiving love. This love isn't just a feeling, but a way of being in the world that transforms everything it touches.

5. Intimacy with God and others reveals our True Self

Intimacy is possible only between two calm identities and is not the same as melding or fusing into one.

Vulnerability and trust. True intimacy requires us to let down our guard and reveal our authentic selves. This applies to our relationships with:

• God
• Others
• Ourselves

Mutual revelation. In moments of genuine intimacy, we not only reveal ourselves but also create space for others to do the same. This mutual self-disclosure allows us to recognize the divine in ourselves and in others, leading to a deeper sense of connection and belonging.

6. Suffering and vulnerability are gateways to discovering our True Self

It is our mistakes that lead us to God. We come to divine union not by doing it right but by doing it wrong, as we all most surely do.

Transformative power of pain. Our moments of greatest vulnerability and failure often become the catalyst for profound spiritual growth. Suffering can:

• Strip away our False Self's illusions
• Open us to receive love and grace
• Connect us more deeply with others and God

Embracing imperfection. Rather than trying to achieve perfection, the path to our True Self involves accepting our humanity in all its messiness. It's in our wounds and weaknesses that we often encounter the transformative power of divine love.

7. Contemplative practices help us access our True Self

Contemplation is the ultimate recovery, because it is from the universal addiction to our own preferred way of thinking.

Beyond thinking. Contemplative practices like meditation, centering prayer, and mindfulness help us:

• Quiet the incessant chatter of our False Self
• Become aware of our deeper, truer identity
• Experience union with God and all of creation

Regular practice. Developing a consistent contemplative practice creates space for our True Self to emerge. It's not about achieving a particular state but about cultivating awareness and openness to the divine presence within and around us.

8. The True Self recognizes the divine in all creation

If it is truth, it has to be true everywhere or it is not true at all.

Universal wisdom. The True Self recognizes that divine truth is not limited to one religion or tradition but can be found in various forms across cultures and throughout creation. This perspective:

• Fosters interfaith dialogue and respect
• Deepens our appreciation for nature and all living beings
• Encourages us to seek wisdom from diverse sources

Interconnectedness. As we live from our True Self, we become more aware of our fundamental connection to all of creation. This awareness naturally leads to greater compassion, environmental stewardship, and a sense of responsibility for the well-being of the whole.

9. Embracing our True Self leads to compassion and unity

For the True Self, there is nothing to hate, reject, deny, or judge as unworthy or unnecessary.

Radical acceptance. Living from our True Self allows us to embrace all aspects of ourselves and others with compassion. This includes:

• Our own flaws and failures
• The shortcomings of others
• The pain and suffering in the world

Unity in diversity. As we recognize our shared divine nature, we become less focused on superficial differences and more attuned to our fundamental unity. This shift in perspective:

• Breaks down barriers between people and groups
• Fosters cooperation and mutual understanding
• Creates a more just and peaceful world

Last updated: December 14, 2024