Today we’re diving into a fundamental theme for self-knowledge and personal growth: the sense of self. This idea is deeply explored in the lecture The False Sense of Ego by the modern Gnostic master Samael Aun Weor.
We all carry some sense of who we are. It's that inner feeling that says, "I exist, I am." But it’s worth asking: is that feeling authentic, or just a reflection of our ego? Many people are willing to give up things like alcohol, cigarettes, or parties—but rarely are they willing to give up their suffering. Oddly enough, we tend to cling more to pain than to joy. We complain about our struggles, yet when the opportunity arises to release that pain, we hesitate.
There’s something strangely satisfying about talking about our pain. We hold on to these vivid memories—moments of suffering that we've woven into our identity. Sharing stories of how we overcame hardship becomes a way to feel important, experienced, and unique. That attachment to suffering can be more powerful than the temptation of immediate pleasures. Instead of chasing fleeting happiness, many people hold tight to their personal history—the pain, the challenges, the moments they had to push through. But we have to ask ourselves: are we truly ready to let go of the pain that feeds our ego?
Some people simply cannot release this false sense of "I". Their suffering defines them. The idea of letting go—even if it's painful—can feel more frightening than death itself. Every experience we go through brings with it a different version of that "I". Who we felt we were at 18 is not who we feel we are at 40 or 80. So, which of these is our true self?
As we work on ourselves and aim to dissolve aspects of the ego—what are called psychic aggregates—we expect certain feelings to disappear. Take resentment, for instance. If we claim we’ve dissolved that part of the ego but still feel resentment, then clearly that aspect hasn't truly been transformed. Each aggregate—resentment, fear, anger—brings its own version of the "I". The more we carry, the more versions of "I" exist within us. If we believe we’re progressing but still experience the same reactions and repeat the same patterns, it means the internal work isn’t being done effectively.
This false sense of self becomes a prison. We can live an entire life feeling like we’re evolving when, in reality, we’re stuck in the same ego-driven patterns. Even in old age, many people are still wrapped up in the same “I” they had decades ago, carrying judgments and conditioned thinking that block them from seeing things clearly.
True feeling doesn’t come from the ego—it comes from Consciousness. To reach this state, we need to dissolve the egoic structures that distort our self-image. When that happens, a deeper, purer sense of being emerges, one that goes beyond morality or social norms.
In a world where Consciousness is often asleep, external systems like education and ethics try to shape our behavior, but they can only do so much. Real transformation comes from within—from constant self-observation, from letting go of what holds us back, and from developing new virtues and inner understanding.
When we do this work with sincerity, we set ourselves on the path toward a Revolution of Consciousness. This process isn’t easy, but it’s powerful. It transforms our thinking and, as a result, our lives. It’s not about chasing some idealized state of enlightenment, but about staying alert to the ego and working consistently to break it down. Otherwise, we risk being misled—thinking we’re evolving while we’re still trapped in the same cycles.
As we let go of the ego, our Consciousness becomes freer, and with that freedom comes real change. We begin to gain new insights, develop authentic qualities, and move toward something deeper and more lasting. If we stick with surface-level ideas and ignore the inner work, we end up stuck—surrounded by nice words but lacking any real transformation.
So now that you’ve had a glimpse into the concept of the False Sense of "I", stay aware of your own inner process. Only through this awareness can you move toward true freedom and lasting inner growth.
