Most of us go through life assuming our thoughts are simply who we are. Yet, if you pause for a moment and reflect, you might notice that there are actually two distinct ways your mind processes and responds to the world. One is the automatic voice of the ego, quick to judge, defend, and protect. The other is the higher self thought system, a quieter, wiser perspective that arises when you connect with a deeper part of yourself.
This higher self thought system is not reserved for spiritual seekers or people in formal positions of influence. It is available to everyone, in every moment, regardless of their role or life circumstances. Learning to recognise these two ways of thinking, and consciously choosing the one that serves your growth, can transform the way you experience life.
Understanding the Two Thought Systems
The ego is the mind’s reactive system. From a neuroscience perspective, it is associated with the amygdala and the limbic system, the areas of the brain responsible for fear, emotional reactivity, and survival instincts. The ego thought system operates from a state of separation consciousness. It sees you as distinct and often disconnected from others, prompting thoughts and behaviours rooted in self-preservation, competition, and scarcity. While this system is essential for survival, it can limit your capacity for empathy, creativity, and long-term vision.
In contrast, the higher self thought system is grounded in unity consciousness. Neuroscientifically, it is linked to the prefrontal cortex, which governs empathy, moral reasoning, and reflective thinking. This part of the brain allows you to take a step back, see the bigger picture, and respond with compassion. The higher self recognises that your well-being is intertwined with that of others, fostering cooperation, kindness, and a sense of abundance. It is not concerned with winning at the expense of others but with creating outcomes that nurture everyone involved.
The Choice Point
Every day, you face countless moments when you must decide which thought system to follow. This is what I call the “choice point”. It can happen in a heated conversation, in the quiet of self-reflection, or in the middle of making a big decision. Often, the ego will be the first to speak, because it is hard-wired for speed and protection. You might recognise this as the impulse to snap back in anger, withdraw in defensiveness, or make a decision without considering its broader impact.
Choosing the higher self thought system requires awareness and practice. It means catching yourself before the automatic reaction takes hold and asking: “Am I responding from fear, or love?” This pause allows the prefrontal cortex to engage, shifting you from instinctive reaction to thoughtful response. Over time, and with consistent practice, this reflective approach can become your new default.
How Awareness Transforms Your Life
Recognising and choosing your higher self thought system changes more than your decision-making. It alters the energy you bring into relationships, work, and even your inner dialogue. The ego thought system often leaves you feeling isolated, stressed, or on guard, whereas the higher self creates a sense of connection, purpose, and ease.
In my journey, I realised how deeply programmed I had been to operate from the ego. I was conditioned to see the world as competitive and to guard myself against perceived threats. Learning to choose my higher self has been a lifelong process, and I still find moments where I fall back into old patterns. But with each choice in favour of the higher self, I experience greater clarity, deeper relationships, and more fulfilment.
The Role of Practice
Like any new skill, strengthening the higher self thought system requires practice. Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools because they train you to observe your thoughts without becoming them. Journaling can help you identify patterns, revealing when you tend to operate from the ego and when you connect with your higher self. Small daily reflections, such as reviewing how you responded to challenges, gradually build your ability to make different choices next time.
Even in moments of stress, you can bring in higher self thinking by slowing your breathing, noticing your body’s sensations, and deliberately considering the perspective of others. Each time you do this, you reinforce the neural pathways that make the higher self thought system easier to access.
Living From Your Higher Self
Living from the higher self thought system is not about ignoring reality or avoiding tough decisions. It is about facing life’s challenges with a perspective rooted in love, wisdom, and unity rather than fear and division. It is a way of being that can influence everything from the way you resolve conflict to how you handle success.
When you begin to live this way, you find that situations which once felt overwhelming become more manageable. Relationships become less about winning and losing and more about mutual growth. Even your sense of self changes, as you realise you are not defined by your immediate reactions but by the values and awareness that guide your choices.
Ultimately, the higher self thought system offers a path to a richer, more connected life. The ego will always be there, ready to protect and defend. But you have the power to decide whether it leads or whether you choose the higher self to guide you. Each moment offers a new choice point, and with practice, you can make that choice more consciously, more often, and with greater confidence in the life it creates for you.
Reflection Exercise: Strengthening Your Higher Self Thought System
Over the next week, try this daily reflection to deepen your connection with your higher self:
- Recall one moment from your day when you felt a strong reaction.
- Write down your first response in that situation. Was it coming from fear, frustration, judgment, or defensiveness? If so, it was likely ego-driven.
- Ask yourself: “How could my higher self have responded?” Imagine the exact moment approached with patience, compassion, and a sense of unity.
- Visualise yourself choosing that higher self response and notice how it changes the way you feel about the situation.
- End with a short affirmation, such as: “I have the power to choose love over fear.”
Practised regularly, this simple reflection will train your awareness and make the higher self thought system more natural in daily life.
