The different levels of the ego’s hardened shell give you an idea of how much control you impose over your choices and decisions, and how strong your need is to be right in any life circumstance. It reveals how “rigid” your sense of self may be in relation to any viewpoint you hold about your life situation—events that happened in the past, those happening now in your daily life, or even what may happen in the so-called “future.”

These levels of the “hardened shell” allow you to look within and glimpse into yourself more clearly, so you can see and acknowledge that we are, in one way or another, conditioned by past events, education, culture, and beliefs. In addition, it is natural to develop a certain sense of self-identity during this lifetime.

By recognizing the rigidity of the ego’s shell, you begin to identify the “tools” needed to crack it open and allow the Light of Pure Awareness to shine through. No matter how hard the shell may seem, there is always the possibility of opening it so the Light of Consciousness can shine through “You.”

First, allow this moment to be as it is, without judgment. Do not resist your present-moment circumstances or the so-called “problems.” This is a necessary first step if you truly want to continue this journey toward recognizing the Real Self. Otherwise, you may simply read these words and remain absorbed in the superficial reality of daily life—with its endless activities, worries, and problem-solving conditioning.

Fear may arise as you go deeper into your life situation—into problems that seem to need solving or events that have already happened. But no matter what you “see” or feel, face it and “watch” it. Observe it without judgment or any sense of guilt, shame, inferiority, or superiority. Do not judge—simply observe and face reality as it is, whatever has happened or is happening in your life.

By accepting the present moment without resistance, you allow the flow of life to begin moving through your energy field. A deeper wisdom and guidance then reveal “the way,” helping you see choices and decisions from a different dimension—a fifth-dimensional point of view.

If you are able to allow whatever happens without resistance, you will notice that you open a gap—a space—in which you can observe your thoughts and emotions. Even if only for a few seconds or minutes, the “shell” begins cracking.

You may “feel the crack” when you glimpse your thoughts and emotions as an observer and see their movement within the mind—trying to capture your attention by “speaking words” in your head or activating emotions that trigger more thoughts. By remaining in observation without reaction, the Light of Consciousness shines through the crack, revealing that your self-created identity is nothing more than a “shell.” It has no absolute reality. It is merely a relative reality in this Play of Life in which you participate during this brief human existence.

The different levels of the ego’s hardened shell within the personality may range from soft to extremely rigid. They can be recognized only when you sincerely look within yourself and courageously face your egoic behaviors, patterns, fears, and any identification with the “little me.”