The shift from individual to collective consciousness has become a popular theme in the culture lately. We know that to solve the world’s most pressing problems, the power of our combined wisdom is needed. Yet, a number of beliefs keep us from making that shift easily.

As a change agent on the path, you’ve probably noticed times when you are operating from the identity of “Me” and other times when you are experiencing the sense of “We.” For example, when you are rushing to get to an appointment on time, it’s likely that you have a strong personal agenda directing your actions and choices. If you are enjoying music with a group of beloved friends, you are likely to feel the shared joy of being part of something larger than yourself.

Alternatively, remember recent meetings with colleagues or business partners. Have you at times felt frustrated between what you want to get done and where the group is going?

How do you know when to assert the truth of your own perspective and when to embrace the will of the whole?

One of the places that trips us up the most is the judgment we have about “Me” consciousness, both in ourselves and in others. When we try to eradicate the “Me” in favor of the “We,” we distrust our natural needs and block our own wisdom.

Both the individual and the collective identity serve equally in the new paradigm. Imagine being able to shift comfortably and fluidly between the two of them, as needed for the situation, rather than getting stuck in one at the expense of the other. When you can embrace both “Me” and “We” as serving in different ways, you will find a natural flow where each of the two perspectives brings a piece of the puzzle to any situation at hand.

This balancing of the two requires attuning to where you can see your voice in the context of the collective voice. It’s rather like singing in harmony in a choir – each voice contributes and blends.

Another thing that can happen is that parts of you might feel the fear of not getting your individual needs met if your identity shifts away from you as an individual for any amount of time. For example,

• Will I become too altruistic and not practical?
• Will I neglect my family?
• Will I be dominated by others who have stronger personalities?
• Will I stop caring about what matters most to me personally?

You are probably familiar with several ways to address these fears, such as working with parts of the psyche and clearing limiting beliefs. One of the simplest ways to turn off the alarm bells of the brain is to make agreements with yourself and set conditions under which you’d feel safe shifting between individual and collective consciousness.

For example, I needed to know I could set boundaries and say “No” to demands on my time when I needed to, so I wouldn’t be dominated by others. I also needed to complete certain ego-based goals I had, like proving to myself that I could build my business to a certain level by myself before creating a collaborative team.

What issues have you noticed in shifting your identity from individual to collective consciousness? What are your favorite ways of addressing them?