Trying to dominate our destructive thoughts and feelings, or seeking to liberate our “better” parts through some form of self-discipline, is secretly at the expense of our freedom, and not in its cause. Freedom from the ties that bind, victory over our own nature, is not a conquest in the usual sense. Try to see the following as deeply as possible: anything that has to be kept in check must also keep its checker in chains. The person with this kind of control over him or herself is like an ignited rocket tethered to the ground. The opposing forces eventually cause an explosion. We need release from ourselves, not a better way to live in prison. Keeping these points in mind helps us to arrive at this totally new consideration: what we really need is distance from our own highly reactive thoughts and feelings.

To start stepping back from yourself, collect all the facts you can about your true inner condition. Support your findings with further personal investigation. These actions bring higher discoveries which will inspire you to reach higher on the next round of self-study. For a start, the following is an exercise in how to work successfully at stepping back from yourself.

You can wake yourself up just as many times as you’re willing to catch yourself in daydreams where you’re the star. This amazing discovery proves that the only power your present nature has to keep you slumbering is how much you enjoy feeling like you’re in the spotlight on center stage. But you can have something much higher than these bittersweet temporary sensations.

Each time you find yourself daydreaming, give yourself this healthy jolt: Cancel all remaining performances of that show. They’re probably just reruns anyway. Your choice to come wide-awake, and to live without your dream self is the same as choosing in favor of freedom — the permanent home of your Real Self. This conscious act places you directly in the healing spotlight of the present moment.