The "self," this sentient experience, is an interface between our body and its context. So think of it as a bubble. Given it is a natural impulse to protect the body from harm, we tend to flow to those directions most protecting of the body. The problem this creates, is it isolates us from the larger reality. Which then gets in a feedback loop and we squirrel away ever further into our own version of reality. We plaster the walls of our bubble with pictures of how we think it should be, rather than polishing it like glass, to see the outside context as clearly as possible.

One reason for this, is the outside is far larger and more powerful than any energy and force we can individually apply. So we gather into groups and assume our tribal and political affiliations will protect us from those outside forces. Yet this means giving up our own sense of individuality and self control. The antelope running with the herd can't just stop and scratch its ear.

Though some little creature in the forest has to listen for every sound and react to every flash in the peripheral vision. Safety in awareness, rather than numbers.

In this modern world, there isn't as much safety in numbers as there used to be, so we need to be more aware.

How we maintain our equilibrium in this situation isn't to push back against everything out there, but to find ways to balance the various forces against each other. Like a martial artist will use the energy of the attacker against them. Or a surfer will ride the wave, not fight it.

Just remember, life is a dance, not a race. The end is just punctuation. What matters is how well you tie the rest of the story together. Be more of a plant, rooted in the larger world, than just a creature moving through it.

Think how much information computer technology can transmit in a tiny bit of light, yet we are bathed in it. As Emerson said, we are but thickened light. Learn to read the light, not just the hard edges.