Our Relationship with Ourself
In the Gnostic teachings, life presents us with something we need to understand every day. In the previous articles we explored our relationship with our body and our relationships with other people and we saw how both influence our health and daily experience. Important as these relationships are, it would be a mistake to only look outward and forget that our relationship with ourself is the silent foundation of all inner change.
In this third article of the series, we explore how to relate to ourselves and why this connection is essential for awakening consciousness. We will approach this topic in a simple and direct way, and we will also see how each daily experience can help us to know ourselves better and more deeply.
The Relationship with Ourself in the Gnostic Teachings: What It Is and Why It Matters
Master Samael Aun Weor explains that our relationship with ourselves is the basis of all inner work. It begins with self-observation: recognising the movements of the ego within us. This is not a theoretical exercise but a daily act of conscious attention upon the thoughts, emotions and desires that arise in our life.
When we do not understand what goes on inside us, we act mechanically. We react without knowing where each impulse comes from. This creates confusion and distances us from our essence. Gnosis teaches that the Being can only express in us when we stop living automatically and begin to see our inner processes as they actually are.
This is why this relationship is so important. It allows us to begin a genuine path of self-knowledge. It allows us to comprehend why we feel as we do and why we behave in certain ways. Through this honest gaze, we discover that many forces (egos) live within us and we need to learn to recognise these.
This is the first step before we can undertake any spiritual practice. Without this foundation, every effort loses strength. The relationship with ourself shows us where we stand internally and prepares us to transform our life in a conscious way.
When Does our Relationship with Ourself get Weak?
When we don’t have a relationship with ourself, our inner world becomes unclear. Without conscious attention, we go through life without understanding what is taking place within us. In this state, our mind is full of noise and our emotions are all mixed up. We do not know why we think what we think or why we feel what we feel.
This disconnection creates a silent emptiness. A person does things, works and makes decisions without true inner guidance. The days becomes repetitive. Actions lose meaning. Everything is done out of habit, impulsiveness or obligation. Thus, the expression of the Being remains hidden beneath layers of automatism.
Over time this lack of inner connection produces a deep sense of disorientation. We cannot see the purpose of our experiences, nor understand the root of our psychological states. Our consciousness remains asleep and the ego takes full control of our inner life without meeting any resistance whatsoever.
The most serious consequence is the absence of any inner light. Without contact with our Being, there is no guidance, no clarity and no comprehension. This is the greatest danger of neglecting our internal life: losing the possibility of awakening and, with it, the opportunity for true spiritual transformation.
How to Strengthen the Relationship with Ourself Through Conscious Attention
Strengthening our relationship with ourself begins with learning to look inward with serenity. It is not about thinking more but rather about observing clearly what takes place in our mind and emotions. This conscious attention allows us to see our inner movements without trying to escape them or justify them.
The process begins with short spaces of inner silence. For example: take a three-minute pause before starting an important activity simply to observe your inner state without trying to change it.
Each pause creates a space where we can notice our thoughts and emotions. In that space, we discover how the ego acts in daily life. We see its impulses, desires and the manner in which it influences our decisions.
Conscious attention helps us to recognise patterns that once went unnoticed. We see the origin of our reactions. We understand why certain fears or frustrations arise. This comprehension opens the path to transforming our inner life from its roots.
It also strengthens our bond with our Being. When we observe ourselves consciously, a deep clarity appears. This clarity does not come from the mind; it arises from consciousness itself. It is a light that brings order, calm and guidance. With this, our relationship with ourself becomes solid and sincere.
Practising this form of attention transforms the way we live. Daily situations cease to confuse us. External life no longer has power over our emotions. Instead of reacting, we learn to comprehend. This is how a true inner work begins.
Practices to Strengthen our Relationship with Ourself
Comprehending our inner life is not enough. We need to take this comprehension into our daily lives and act on it. Our relationship with ourself deepens when we learn to observe consciously and to live with conscious attention. These simple practices will help you get started.
1. Self-observation in Daily Life
Self-observation is the foundation of the Gnostic work. It means watching our thoughts, emotions and reactions without justifying or rejecting them. Observe how discomfort, desire or impulse arises. This clear gaze reveals the ego in action. With patience, self-observation illuminates what was once hidden.
2. Self-remembering in Every Activity
Self-remembering is the return to the consciousness of the present moment. It does not entail effort or tension, but calm presence. Remember that you are not your thoughts or your emotions. This brief awakening breaks mechanical behaviour and opens an inner space where you can act in a balanced way. Each moment of self-remembering strengthens our relationship with ourself.
3. Meditation to Understand our Inner States
Meditation is not about posture. It is a serene state of reflection that reveals the truth of our psychological states. Sit in silence and observe the movements of the mind. Do not fight them; simply look. With time, deep comprehension emerges, transforming your relationship with yourself from within.
Summary of the Three Fundamental Relationships of the Human Being
The three basic relationships we have looked at in this series of articles form a complete path of self-knowledge. Each of them reveals a part of our inner life and shows how the ego expresses itself within us.
When our relationship with our body is not correct, we live without conscious attention. We make excessive demands on our body and treat it like a machine. This disconnection leads to illness, for the body reflects our inner disorder.
When our relationship with other people is incorrect, we react mechanically. The ego distorts perception and creates conflict. This leads to family tensions, difficulties in relationships, arguments and financial challenges. Every conflict reflects what we have in our inner world.
When we are lost in our relationship with ourself, we do not understand our inner life. We go along without any inner direction, directed by emotions and desires we do not comprehend. This confusion brings darkness and distances us from our inner light.
Understanding these three relationships helps us awaken. Each one of them shows us what we need to work on. When we integrate them, we walk a balanced path towards self-knowledge and inner transformation.
Begin the Inner Path Today
Understanding the relationship with ourself is the a very important step in our inner work. When we begin to observe our thoughts, emotions and desires, we find the roots of our reactions. Each moment becomes an opportunity to awaken and to live with conscious attention.
This article completes the series dedicated to the three fundamental relationships that shape our life.
First, we saw that a mistaken relationship with the body leads to illness.
Then, we learnt that an inadequate relationship with others creates conflict and difficulties.
Now we also see that a lack of relationship with ourself results in inner darkness and blocks illumination.
Gnostic teaching shows that all transformation begins within. It is not about changing the world, but seeing it with awakened consciousness. When we work on ourselves, the three relationships harmonise and life gains clarity and depth.
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