Chapter 1: Judgement
"When we let go of who we are, we become who we might be." — Lao Tzu
Beyond the day-to-day versions of ourselves that we are familiar with, there exists a larger, richer aspect of our being that is deeply rooted in the cosmos, in nature, and in the profound psychic structures that connect us to all of existence. This expansive self goes far beyond the roles, identities, and perceptions we often cling to.
In our culture, we are frequently encouraged to define ourselves through external measures. We might see ourselves primarily as parents, children, siblings, teachers, or other professionals within a specific field. Consumerism further encourages us to identify with possessions such as our homes and cars or the clothing and devices we use, believing these objects reflect our worth or identity. On a subtler level, we may derive our sense of self from the places we visit, the music we listen to, the publications we read, or the social circles we belong to. We might tie our identity to a particular diet, a spiritual path, or a set of beliefs. All of these layers act as barriers that obscure our true essence. They restrict us and confine us to lives that feel too small for the greater potential we hold within.
The first step in awakening to our true nature is to recognize these layers and become aware of where we are getting stuck. Perhaps you have already explored this in yoga or meditation, and maybe you have moved beyond attaching your identity to the car you drive or the possessions you have. Yet these encasements can be insidious because they are often deeply ingrained and socially reinforced.
To truly evolve, we must clear the way for our soul’s voice to become louder and clearer. We need space that is free from these external impositions and internal constraints so that our true self can emerge. Only then can we begin to live from a place of authenticity, guided not by societal expectations or superficial identities, but by the profound wisdom that resides within us all. Moving beyond the small self is the vital act of reconnecting with the vast, luminous being we truly are.
EXERCISE
Clearing
We’ll begin with an energetic clearing. Take a moment to welcome and activate the Clearing Orb through your intention. Whether you feel it or not, allow it to work on your system for 60 mins by staying restful.
Refining your sense of identity through the Koshas
In the yogic tradition, the self is understood to be layered within five koshas, or sheaths, ranging from the physical body to pure consciousness. This exercise will help you systematically explore these layers, gradually moving from external identities to your deepest essence. This is a profound practice that can be returned to many times, but as an initial step it can clear away at least some of the main things that have been holding us back.
~ Find a quiet place to do this work. You may want to take some time for each step to meditate with it for a while, and then to journal your thoughts. Let it be a fluid and intuitive process.
Physical Sheath (Annamaya Kosha)
~ Begin by grounding your awareness in your physical body. Notice where you feel tension, comfort, or energy. Questions:
What material objects in my life (or lack of them) help to reinforce my sense of identity? What do I belief they are ‘saying’ about me? What am I holding on to that has run it’s course? Who would I be if I had none of these objects in my life? Who would I be if I had every physical thing I wanted?
What social identities or roles do I carry? How do these roles impact my sense of who I am? Who would I be without these roles? How does that make me feel? Which roles do I long to hold? What would that give me?
To what extent do I associate my sense of self with my body, appearance, or health? Where do I take pride and where do I carry shame? How do I feel about aging and what would that mean for my sense of who I am? What if I did not have a body, who would I be?
Energy Sheath (Pranamaya Kosha)
~ Come into meditation and begin to notice your breath. Taking a while just to be aware of the inhale and the exhale. Feel the aliveness of your body in the form of heat, internal movements, heartbeat, vitality.
~ Begin to deepen your breathing, counting 4 on the inhale and the exhale. Continue for a couple of minutes, then introduce pauses for a 4 count in between each inhale and exhale. Notice the pauses. Then take a break and reflect:
To what extent does this feel like ‘my’ breath, ‘my’ energy? Is this really accurate?
How did it feel to hold the breath? What would it be like if I no longer had a breath, or a heartbeat?
Observe how this layer influences your sense of self and recognize its transient nature.
~ Once your breath is back to normal, you can try holding your breath and observing your reactions. Just do this once in one sitting but it can be a powerful way to access this layer of attachment.
Mental Sheath (Manomaya Kosha).
Now turn awareness inward to your thoughts, feelings, and mental patterns. Sit for a while and just observe your mind. Notice as thoughts bounce around and just let them do what your mind naturally is doing. Be curious.
~ Now start to label your thoughts. You can pick a labelling system such as ‘future/past’ to spot where your thoughts aren’t in the present moment. You can also try ‘physical/emotional/mental’ to categorize where you’re being drawn into physical sensations, emotional experiences, or mental stories or beliefs. Notice any patterns in your thoughts. Do you think more about the future or the past? How often are you present? Is your attention more in the physical, emotional or mental sphere?
Other questions:
What beliefs or stories about myself do I hold?
What do I feel passionately ‘sure’ about? What if I were to flip my understanding of that?
In what ways am I boxing myself in by believing the world is a certain way? What if I could change that, how would my life be then?
How much of my identity is shaped by my thoughts, judgments, or mental habits?
Wisdom Sheath (Vijnanamaya Kosha)
~ Next, focus on your inner wisdom, intuition, and discernment. Listen for a while to the silence and stillness that is always present behind all things. Be open and receptive for any messages that want to come through from that void space. Questions:
Do I listen to my inner guidance or rely on external validation?
Am I aware of my deeper knowledge beyond superficial identities?
This layer begins to connect you with your authentic self.
Bliss or Pure Consciousness (Anandamaya Kosha)
~ Finally, turn inward to the highest layer: your connection to pure consciousness and bliss. In meditation, gently ask yourself:
Who am I in the space beyond thoughts and emotions?
What remains when all external layers are peeled away?
Or simply ‘Who am I?’
Allow yourself to feel this expansive, luminous presence.
Affirmation
On the back of this self-reflection it can be very helpful for this process to write an affirmation that expresses what you discovered about your true nature, such as:
"My true self is limitless and free beyond all external identities."
Repeat this affirmation regularly and embody it in your daily life.
Regular practice of this systematic exploration helps you recognize which layers you’ve identified with and gradually peel away the false self. It creates space for your authentic, unchanging essence to shine through, aligned with your highest truth.