A man who doesn't know his true identity does not know that he doesn't really know. The fact that he is confused, frightened and still searching for himself remains almost totally unsuspected by him because he has unknowingly assumed a false identity.

This temporary, false self feels real because it is animated and driven along by the man's reactions as he seeks himself. The fact that this lower nature is driven does not mean it is alive. A bulldozer rolls along too, but it cannot see or understand why it smashes into things. It is a machine. So, in many ways, is the false self.

The false self is fueled by negative emotional reactions which, in turn, are kept firing by habitual incorrect thinking. The very existence of the false self depends on keeping you off balance and looking in the wrong direction. Start seeing through its games by learning to let go of all the familiar but self-abandoning answers it wants you to believe in. Own your own life. Use the following special exercise for Higher Self-Recovery.

The internal crimes of the false self routinely go on unchecked. This is why, if we ever want to arrest this inner thief of real life, we must learn to STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN. This inner-exercise for true self-command is guaranteed to shut down the covert answers and operation of the false self.

The next time that you are feeling anxious -- or afraid or worried about a problem you are facing -- before you do anything: STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN.

Remember that the false self is never far away when you are feeling bad. It knows that once it can get you running in the direction of its choice, sheer momentum will do the rest of its work. That is why you come to a STOP first. Dare to defy the inner-shouts that are trying to spur you on. Don't give them any authority. They are just noises; bad ones at that. Treat them as such.

Then LOOK. But be sure to look in the right direction. This is critical. Look at what is talking to you, not where it is pointing. This way you won't ever be fooled again and sent on another wild goose chase. So take a real good look. If it is an anxious or unhappy feeling that you are looking at, quietly determine from your own understanding that no negative state is interested in ending itself. This will help you to take the third and last step.

Now LISTEN. If you have done the first two steps correctly, you will soon witness the false self start having a fit. Let it rage. That is all it can do. It has no power. Its only strength was in your past ignorance of just how truly powerless it was. Just remain right there, inwardly alert and attentive. Your work is done. In the past you might have let these deceptive dark feelings guide you, but now you see through their tricks. In time their roar will dwindle to a whimper and then completely disappear.

You now know that for the first time in your life you have won a true victory for yourself. At last you have deposited something of true value in the most important bank of all -- the bank of your own understanding. And believe me, this account pays interest of the Highest kind.

And what about that nagging personal problem? To your great relief you will discover that it wasn't at all what the false self was trying to make you believe. The problem you are left to solve, assuming one still exists after this lying lower nature has been thrown out, doesn't even resemble the fearsome giant that had been stalking you earlier. The false self can throw terrifying shadows but now you can cast Inner Light. There is no contest.