Every aspect of experience arises on its own as an expression of universal awareness flowing through the sieve of unconsciously induced conditioning. Among the many thoughts that thus inevitably percolate into consciousness is the idea that our beguiling image of ourselves is actually the doer of all we are doing. A very seductive idea indeed. Think of it! The very same person that I believe myself to be is dubbed the champion of my life — defending me in battle, doing good wherever I may go. The comforting sense of control imparted by this tidy self-concept is virtually irresistible.

Yet, despite its attractiveness, this turn of mind constitutes a devastating strategic error.

Early in life, this stalwart image of oneself grows in stature to the cheers of all around, quickly taking root in the fertile soil of common belief. Once firmly established within one's personal conditioning, this image of the rugged individual is credited or blamed for every thought, feeling, desire, decision or action that erupts within us.

Thus it appears to hold dominion over all aspects of experience and becomes the focus of our relations with everyone and everything. Indeed, it is only because of this image of self as source that we are so thoroughly convinced of our isolation from all else. Necessarily, all perceptions are interpreted in relation to this discrete idea we have of ourselves.

It is in the nature of belief that inconsistencies are overlooked. We pay no heed to the fact that, all too often, this great champion proves to be a blundering fool who doesn't have a clue about what's really going on. Through the mesmerizing power of random reinforcement, the illusion is validated by every success, while failures are either attributed to a damnable flaw in the personality of the hero or blamed on unfortunate circumstances. Through all this, the underlying assumption of oneself as doer is rarely, if ever, questioned.

To gain a better perspective on the development of this image of the self as doer, consider the great pressure placed upon virtually all children to take responsibility for what they do. The intent, of course, is to imbue them with a modicum of self-control. From the point of view of any card-carrying doer, this would be an essential requirement for meeting the daunting challenges posed by the modern world. And, of course, as children we take it on faith that our parents are wise, and that they seek only what is best for us. Thus our parents' steadfast embrace of the self-image of a doer offers more than sufficient inducement for us to do the same.

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