Both our Higher Self and Lower Self are real. But only one is in truth.
This chapter digs into the layered nature of who we are, separating what’s real from what’s actually true. It frames the inner journey as a movement from ego into the Higher Self—the part of us aligned with connection, clarity, and truth.
But the twist is that our Lower Self, with all its distortions and reactive patterns, is also “real” because it carries energy. It’s just misdirected.
What keeps it in place are the false beliefs we formed as children—conclusions that once helped us feel safe but now quietly shape our reactions, relationships, and struggles.
To cope, we build a “mask”—a set of defenses that promise protection and love but end up doing the opposite. Real growth starts when we stop hiding behind that mask and begin to see what’s actually going on underneath.
That means facing uncomfortable patterns, questioning old beliefs, and feeling what we’ve avoided.
It’s messy at first, even disorienting—but necessary.
Over time, as we clear out these distortions, something steadier emerges. The Higher Self isn’t something we create—it’s something we uncover. And the more we live from it, the more life starts to feel aligned instead of reactive.
Jill Loree is the founder of Phoenesse and a longtime student of the Pathwork teachings. She has studied the Pathwork Guide’s material since 1997 and completed four years of training to become a certified Pathwork Helper.
When she first encountered the Pathwork teachings, she described the experience as “walking through the doorway of an AA fourth step and finding the whole library.”
Through Phoenesse, Jill writes and teaches about personal transformation using the spiritual psychology found in the Pathwork lectures.
Her books present these teachings in clear, accessible language to help readers apply them in everyday life. Her work focuses on helping people move from the struggles of duality toward the peace of inner unity.
Raised in northern Wisconsin, Jill began her professional career in technical sales and marketing before discovering that her true calling lay in spiritual teaching and writing.
She lives in New York with her husband, Scott Wisler, who now works with her in sharing these teachings around the world.
