Tame the Ego. Free the Soul.
by Guest Contributor, Amickoleh Imani: Intuitive Guide, Oracle Card Reader, Chakra Energy Worker, Founder of On The Cusp Wellness
Shared with permission © Amickoleh Imani
“When you take care of the Soul, the Soul will take care of its Self.”
—Amickoleh Imani
A good solid year after coming into my spiritual awakening, a download came through: ‘tame the ego, free the soul.’ Tame the ego. Free the soul. This was just at the beginning of 2020–January 21st to be exact, and I thought I really knew myself.
Perhaps at the time, I did. But when I reflect on what it means to me now, it far surpasses any meaning I had been integrating at the time. And through the even deeper self-healing that has taken place over the last two years, I have come to better understand my Soul. Which has allowed me to better understand my Self.
Before I go any further on explaining how my personal philosophy; ‘tame the ego, free the soul’ has evolved for me in my journey, I’d like to reference the person who initiated this level of awareness within me. From her deeply transformative and inspiring work, Women Who Run with the Wolves, Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés writes:
“The time with Wild Woman is hard at first. To repair injured instinct, banish naïveté, and over time to learn the deepest aspects of psyche and soul, to hold on to what we have learned, to not turn away, to speak out for what we stand for…all this takes a boundless and mystical endurance… On the surface we are still friendly, but beneath the skin, we are most definitely no longer tame.”
Out of this deeply profound insight, I realized it was my priority, my purpose even, to free my Soul. To reconnect with the Wild Woman within me. The authentic intuitive being I came to this earth to re-claim. However, one does not just simply “free the soul”.
What I began to understand was this, in order to free your soul, to live a life of wholeness and authenticity, there must be a taming of sorts in relation to the ego. Otherwise, you will be fighting yourself every step of the way. And that is exhausting.
Isn’t that why most of us begin our healing journey in the first place? We’re TIRED. Tired of the same experiences, tired of the same lessons, tired of the same results. Just plain tired. And we begin to look for answers, for truth, for something. Something, more often than not, that is outside of ourselves.
Honestly, if there was a Self-Healing 101, I’d argue that the first lesson would be ‘Healers Don’t Have the Answers, You Do.’ Then followed by Shadow Work 101: Mining the Ego for Growth.
I find the ego to be such a powerful resource, a guide of sorts and if we allow it to be, the gateway to our freedom. To our Soul’s freedom. I don’t believe in ego deaths, I believe in ego comprehension. I believe in reclaiming these lost aspects of Self through shadow work, which in my book, is the very process of self-reclamation.
When I think of shadow work, I visualize myself connecting with the child-like version of myself and letting her know, it’s ok to be you. It’s ok to be seen, to be heard, to be witnessed, and loved, and appreciated, and…Different. You don’t have to hide anymore. We, don't have to hide anymore.
My guides once shared with me, ‘In order for the message to be heard, the vessel must be seen.’ There are intuitive gifts, connected to our unique soul expression that need to be heard, seen and witnessed.
If the barrier between the Self reclaiming the beauty of its authentic intuitive Soul essence, is the ego then we must begin–or continue, that deeply transformative work of taming the ego. Which is its own form of liberation. Imagine being free of your triggers, fears, doubts, lack mentality, etc…It’s not death we’re after, it’s transformation.
Those answers we’re looking for at the start of our journey typically boil down to, how can I move through this transformative experience, often perceived as pain, in a way that allows me to feel, know, love, and express all of Me?
Here’s what I’ve learned through my experience, you must give yourself the space to be witnessed by you. You must be able to receive yourself over and over again, until it becomes a practice. A self-loving, soul-reviving, soul-honoring practice.
This way we allow the ego to work in alignment with our Soul’s unique expression. Instead of our soul working for our ego, essentially keeping us hidden by our fears, guilt and shame.
Below are a few questions to take into your reflective practice. May they bring you closer to your authentic truth.
Questions for Reflection:
What aspects of your Self are asking to be witnessed and nurtured within your healing journey?
How can you honor your Soul’s process of reclaiming its Self?
What does showing up authentically mean to you? And how would you express that in your reality?
How would you describe your authentic intuitive soul self?
Amickoleh Imani is an intuitive guide, oracle card reader, chakra energy worker, and the founder of On The Cusp Wellness. A virtual healing space that started as a photography blog, and has since evolved into a podcast, 1-on-1 sessions, and a group course.
Through her offerings she helps conscious creatives reactivate their intuitive gifts so they can reconnect with and express their authentic soul essence, using chakra medicine, emotional inquiry, meditative visualizations and soul-care practices.
Amickoleh is deeply passionate about holding safe spaces for seekers to see their authentic selves more clearly. Encouraging them to trust in their soul’s unique gifts, and to live so authentically that their light inspires everyone around them to be just as authentic.
Shared with permission © Amickoleh Imani
Connect: Instagram @onthecuspwellness
For more intuitive downloads + musings check out the podcast, On the Cusp of Something Beautiful: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
To inquire about offerings, please email directly: amickoleh@onthecuspwellness.com
