The Undefended Self: Living the Pathwork

An image is a false conclusion or generalization about life. The idealized self-image (or mask) is a false front, or attempt to portray a perfect generalized picture of who we think we ought to be. Both the image and the mask are motivated by the attempt to avoid in the future certain specific, real hurts of the past. Thus the real feelings of the

All of us were psychically wounded as children; we were imperfectly seen and loved. The mask is the self we constructed to hide the vulnerable, wounded child we once were. By putting a false self between other people and our inner vulnerability, we try to prevent ourselves from getting so close to others that we can again be hurt the way we were as

"The more you acknowledge your hate, the less you hate. The more you accept your ugliness, the more beautiful you become. The more you accept your weakness, the stronger you are. The more you admit your hurt, the more dignity you will have. These are inexorable laws. This is the path we tread.

The pain of not being seen, though never pleasant, need not be devastating to our self-esteem. If we are devastated, we can be sure that there is some part of us clinging to our childhood identity and thus reexperiencing childhood pain. We must be patient with ourselves, remembering that it is neither quick nor easy to grow up into emotional and sp

As we journey within, we discover many different inner selves. We need maps to sort out the many kinds of consciousness that make up our totality.

Practice identifying with your objective observer-self during some daily routine act, such as brushing your teeth, every day for five days. Practice simply being present to your experience at such times, noticing what is going on inside and outside you— calmly noting and accepting whatever occurs. Then see if you can also stay identified with the c

6. Take responsibility for the image and the vicious circle it has created. At any stage of the work on our images, their hold on the unconscious can immediately be lessened by our willingness to take responsibility for our lives. Even if we do not know exactly what in us causes the disharmony or unhappiness, assuming self-responsibility loosens parts

The emptiness and even temporary depression we feel on releasing an image is the “abyss” that comes from surrendering a false belief that had seemed to make our lives understandable. An image creates a false unity of belief and experience which gives us a kind of security because it seems to make our lives coherent and our experiences familiar. But

The mask of power is an attempt to get control of life and others by always appearing completely independent, aggressive, competent, domineering. Falsely reducing life to a struggle for domination, the power mask is attempting to escape from the vulnerability experienced as a child. Security and self-esteem rest on winning in all situations and bec