I can’t think of a more appropriate post in which to change the pronoun from “we” to “I.” Let me tell you a short story from just a few weeks ago.

My husband brought up a political post I’d shared on my personal Facebook page and suggested it might be “more divisive than enlightening.” He continued to suggest that the thesis of the post might be flawed. I felt the false and fallen ego within myself rising to the occasion. Failing to properly combat it, I experienced the resulting desire to bring my mate into agreement with my viewpoint. A frazzling and frustrating conversation ensued, and while neither of us became angry with the other, the exchanged lasted far beyond the point we both recognized we would reach no agreement.

Part of the reason (excuse) that I pursued such a conversation lies in the nature of the discussion which touched on the responsibility of those who find themselves overly blessed with resources to share those resources with their fellow souls. This wisdom, discussed at greater length in another post, comes from the divine source, articulated again and again by the greatest of Earthly teachers. When we find ourselves blessed with a bounty, the divinity within us demands we share that bounty with our fellow souls, especially those who have less than we do.

As I felt I was arguing from a place of irrefutable divine truth, I felt my false self swell in self-righteousness, and continued to reiterate my point (which was actually somewhat removed from this truth) several times, wanting to hear some kind of confirmation from my mate, which never came. The discussion ended with my false self feeling frustrated and confused. How could stating truth leave me feeling anything but at peace?

Later, inside meditation, I focused on what I needed to learn from the exchange in order to be at peace the next time I encounter a similar situation. The words “Be the Teacher, Lose the Ego” formed in my mind. The lesson couldn’t be clearer. My perceived failure and resulting frustration from my earlier conversation stemmed from my ego’s desire to have my point of view validated by another person, but receiving validation from others is not part of what we’re called to do.

Once we tap into the divine, our work consists of loving our fellow souls and becoming a channel for ultimate truth. Nowhere in those directives are we charged with responsibility (or permission) to insist upon a particular fellow soul’s enlightenment. When we articulate it, in fact, the frivolity of any such intention reveals itself completely. By definition, a fellow soul’s path remains their own. In this life, we cannot step inside the physical body of another; similarly, we cannot take charge of their spiritual walk. We can influence. We can be the example and we can share and share and share the liberating message of divine love. Still, even in the case of our children, the choice to accept is given to each of us, the ultimate expression of free will.

Learning from this, I realize any attempt at insistence on my part that a fellow soul agree with a lesson I’m sharing, or any suggestion I’m making, comes from a fallen place that necessarily leads to enlargement of the false self and separation from inner peace. That’s where the feelings of frustration and anger come in. It’s easy to erroneously attribute those feelings to the interaction with the fellow soul in question, but in reality, the negative emotions result from the uncomfortable place any soul finds itself in after taking steps away from divinity.

“Be the Teacher – Lose the Ego” means we accept our responsibility to share the truth with the understanding that any fellow soul (even and perhaps especially those we love dearly in this life) must also individually, and of their own free will, accept responsibility for their own path. We spread the good news without being attached to any particular outcome in a fellow soul. After all, to be attached to a particular outcome for a fellow soul is an expression of unhealthy attachment to that fellow soul. We must remember, we’re called to live in pure love not attachment. We’re called to be the teacher, lose the ego, and need nothing more than connection with the divine.

I walk the path as best I can. I make mistakes, and I continue to learn.