“The false self is the self that we set up that tells us we need to satisfy the energy centers through a program for happiness that involves acquiring symbols of worth” (Paul Lawson, “Systems Theory and Centering Prayer,” in Centering Prayer in Daily Life and Ministry, ed. Gustave Reininger, p. 85, emphasis added).
It is so easy to operate so completely out of a false self. I do it all the time. Even as I sink down to the center of my being in prayer, my mind so often wanders off to what “progress” I’m making in greater ability or capacity for stillness, quiet, concentration, etc. Even in centering prayer, I’ll strive toward the next “goal,” never content, never enjoying.
“The true self is one that needs only to be in relationship with God and whose purpose is to love unconditionally. It is for this purpose that humankind was created” (Ibid, emphasis added).
Getting an inkling of one’s true self is about seeing that capacity, control, and ability are simply the wrong ways to look — the wrong questions to ask. As the practice of centering prayer helps us to see a little more of the true self peek out, we should become less concerned with being right and more concerned with being good…or just being.