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Unlocking Your True Self: A Transformative 7-Step Journey

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Understanding the 7-Step Method

The essence of my decade-long journey lies in a straightforward principle: to discover your authentic self, eliminate what you are not, and what remains is your true essence. However, simplicity does not equate to ease. Identifying and discarding the untrue aspects of yourself poses significant challenges.

From childhood, we are shaped by numerous mental programs inherited not just from our parents but also from generations past. These programs define what it means to be human, our potential, and ways of living. Influences from culture, religion, and family add further complexity, creating a mental prison from which we must escape.

Yet, it’s crucial to understand: you are not these programs. To realize your true self, you must identify and master these constructs. This pursuit began for me in late 2011, and in the following sections, I outline the framework of this transformative process.

Prerequisites for Transformation

Embarking on the journey to discover your true self necessitates several key qualities:

  • Curiosity
  • Seriousness
  • Courage
  • Dedication
  • Perseverance
  • Patience
  • Focus
  • Humility
  • Egoism

Egoism serves as the foundation of this process. It involves prioritizing yourself, a natural instinct shared by all living beings. Children exhibit this until they learn otherwise, which is one of the many programs we adopt during growth. Discarding this mindset is essential for personal transformation.

While egoism can be misused to exert power over others, it can also be a force for good when directed towards personal growth. This notion is explored in my article, "The Problem with Our Concept of Freedom." When harnessed correctly, egoism aids in realizing your purpose, ultimately benefiting both you and society.

Path to personal transformation

The Initial Steps of the Method

The first three steps of the method prepare you for a mental expedition that can radically change your life. Although these steps may seem straightforward, they require commitment and mindfulness.

Step 1: Recognize the Autopilot

Understand that nearly all your thoughts and behaviors stem from learned programs, operating on autopilot most of the time.

> “95% of what we do is habit.” – Aristotle

This insight illustrates that our actions are significantly influenced by ingrained habits, a reality exacerbated in today's media-saturated environment.

Step 2: Commit to Self-Discovery

Decide you genuinely want to uncover your true self, free of preconceived notions.

Step 3: Master Your Programs

Accept that to gain freedom from these controls, you must become their master.

Step 4: Allocate Time for Self-Exploration

Dedicate focused time to this journey, distinct from mere leisure activities. This involves deep self-exploration, akin to committing hours to learning a sport. Create periods where you can fully engage in this transformative work, free from distractions.

Self-Exploration Techniques

Self-exploration is an intensive process of introspection where you seek your truth. Initially, engage in exercises that help you understand your inner landscape, preparing you for deeper inquiries.

In the subsequent phase, identify your programs by paying attention to thoughts and feelings that arise in various situations. Reflect on these signals to uncover underlying patterns.

Reflection and self-discovery

Meditative Practices for Insight

Meditation, in this context, involves actively engaging with your thoughts rather than suppressing them. This inquiry allows you to understand your inner voice, which is crucial for freeing yourself from limiting programs.

Step 5: Observe Your Patterns

Once you've identified a program, focus on when it manifests in your behavior. Initially, you may only recognize it after the fact, but with practice, you can learn to detect it before it occurs, allowing you to choose a different response.

Understanding and breaking free from patterns

Step 6: Expand Your Awareness

Integrate self-exploration into your daily routine, maintaining awareness of your thoughts and behaviors to further identify and challenge existing programs.

Step 7: Continuous Growth

Reflect on your progress and consider the potential for further growth. Like a cheetah raised in captivity, you must break free from your confines to realize your full potential.

The potential for growth

Your environment plays a crucial role in shaping your mental landscape. To become truly free, curate a supportive environment that encourages your journey.

The Journey Never Ends

This lifelong endeavor of freeing oneself from ingrained programs is ongoing. After more than a decade, I have made substantial progress, yet I continue to evolve. I refer to this journey as ‘The First Ascent of Mount ME’—a unique path that only you can traverse.

Exercises for Self-Exploration

Utilize these exercises to initiate your self-discovery journey. For further resources, refer to my articles and book “Being Free: Get Out of the Box — The Method With 99 Exercises.”

  1. Reflect on the essential qualities for your transformation.
  2. Identify what you are willing to release to become free.
  3. Observe your desire to be seen and its impact on your actions.
  4. List your roles and assess their influence on your behavior.
  5. Contemplate the significance of your possessions and what it means to let them go.

Further Reading

  • "The Problem with Our Concept of Freedom"
  • "Why I Isolated Myself Socially for 3.5 Years — and What Came Out of It"
  • "Thoughts are Not Products of the Brain"
  • "Consciousness: Its Nature, Purpose, and How to Use It"
  • "Being Free: Get Out of the Box — The Method With 99 Exercises"

For those interested in deeper exploration, I encourage you to consider a membership that grants access to a wealth of insightful articles and resources.