What do every customer service rep for AT&T, Verizon, Wells Fargo, and American Express have in common?

They all ask the same question any time I call: what’s your date of birth and the last four digits of your social security number?

If I answer correctly, I am granted access into the vault of my customer profile.

Of course this is true for every service provider. They maintain a distinct set of identifiers that label each of us as uniquely “us”.

We are our DOB and SSN.

Or our driver’s license number, physical characteristics, job title, and so forth.

Or, as genomic science evolves, we will be our DNA sequence.

Regardless, as long as we believe in the ego thought system, we will always identify ourselves with externals.

What is the ego thought system? The belief that this (look around you) is an accurate picture of reality, that the “me” experiencing this is capable of suffering, and that my happiness is dependent on things beyond my control.

To identify with the ego is to attack yourself and make yourself poor. (T-12.III.6)

The belief in hell is inescapable to those who identify with the ego. (T-15.I.4)

In such a state, we believe that if some external circumstance or event were different, we would be happy. But until such a condition is achieved, I am a victim of the world.

In truth, we are not our DOB or SSN. Nor is our happiness a function of anything outside of us.

The secret of salvation is but this: that you are doing this unto yourself. (T-27.VIII.10)

Every moment we are (subconsciously) choosing joy or suffering, heaven or hell. Unfortunately we don’t realize that (a) we have this choice, and that (b) we are continually making it. Join us in Monday’s class where we’ll explore this concept of identifying with ego and all the ensuing pain that entails. We’ll also discuss how to make a different choice – one that results in incredible happiness. I look forward to seeing you then.