Prior to stepping onto the spiritual path, human evolution is uniquely designed to cultivate the personality—the ego. Indeed, for much of one’s incarnational history the development and integration of the personality has been the driving evolutionary force. Yet once an individual begins to awaken to the soul residing within, that which was the focus of development (the personality) is slowly realized to be merely a glove.

When an individual begins to recognize the duality of the mind, then the evolution of consciousness commences with new emphasis. We must be able to consciously sense the wisdom and loving promptings of the soul, while also remaining keenly aware of our day-to-day consciousness—the personality.  When this duality is sensed, two fundamental insights will inevitably emerge within one’s mind and heart.  First is an intuitive realization that the consciousness of the soul is what we are destined to become. Secondly, that the personality is not one’s true identity and that its purpose is to be the soul’s outer garment.  Metaphorically speaking, the soul represents the hand of wisdom, while the personality symbolizes the subservient glove upon that hand.

Of course, the personality will resist the notion that it is merely a glove, for it has historically believed itself to be the hand. Yet as more and more soul awareness precipitates into the mind, the personality gradually relegates itself to being the soul’s loyal servant.  It then understands itself to be a well-fitted glove through which the soul can reach a world in need.  Such are the clothing requirements of every human soul, in this life or another.

William Meader