One of the great truths from which we can benefit is that by clinging to the false ego of name, body, occupation - or any other mask/persona we adopt - instead of the real Self, which is an eternally valid part of God manifesting in the physical realm, we create suffering for ourselves. We cling to an illusion.

Now, the challenge is "Now do we realise our inseparability from the Source? How do we make direct, personal union with God?" We do this by turning within. If we seek first the kingdom of God which is within us, all else is added to us. Gift upon gift.

Well, that's great, but what is it we are seeking? And what is the 'Kingdom of God within' anyway? This is what it is: It is perfect Wisdom, perfect Love, perfect Peace and perfect Power, and they are not 'given' to you in a sudden flash of enlightenment, but are grown and developed within; watered by your longing and fertilised by your practice.

That which we call 'God' has always been within, about and throughout us, and it is typical of Man's outer search for God, by doing rather than by being, that he tries to 'find' God. How can you find what was never lost?

One way of growing and developing Peace and thereby getting rid of the false ego's suffering is to 'centre' as the Buddha calls it, or 'rest in God' as St John of the Cross puts it. The next time someone is talking 'at' you, complaining, nagging or criticising, focus your mind on the sensation of your breathing. The warmth or coolness of your breath as it appears to you at the tip of your nostrils. Or focus on the rise and fall of your lungs as you breathe. You can practice this as you walk down the street, observing everything but not letting your mind comment on what you observe. By doing this, you train yourself to rest in the present moment, and your mind, being centred, will not search desperately for a verbal response to defend, explain, excuse or counter-attack your detractor. You will hear every word, but you will discover that you do not have to allow it to effect you, nor does your peace of mind depend on others' behaviour but on the way you respond to their behaviour. Once you have learned to rest in your own Godliness you are invulnerable. From that centred position you will begin to comprehend that people behave badly, not because of their true nature, but because of their own unhappiness. They are acting out of their own insecurities and fears into which they have been conditioned from childhood. They are attempting to live up to the false images they have of themselves and the false images that they feel they must present to others. Instead of responding with anger and hurt, you will learn to feel a genuine compassion for them. Whenever we step outside of our inner Self we fall straight into powerlessness.

Do not mistake the mask for the real person, and do not look outside yourself for happiness. Everything outside you is a reflection of your inner feelings. If you find happiness within yourself, it will reflect in your environment.