When I try on the thought that the identified mind – or the ego – is a problem, or needs to change, or gotten rid of, I notice it’s painful.
It feels more comfortable to find love and understanding for the identified mind, see how it’s innocent, how it’s devoted to being of assistance, devoted to protecting.
In the first case, if those thoughts are lived as true, it’s the identified mind turning against itself. The image of an identified mind is solidified and taken as true, and the image of it being a problem is solidified and taken as true. And that’s the identified mind turning against itself, out of love, in an attempt to be of service.
When there instead is love, genuine appreciation, for the identified mind, it comes from somewhere else. It’s more open, receptive, clear, kind, loving.