One of the most profound concepts to grapple with in our journey of personal growth is the idea of the Little-i. This is a term I use in my book Beyond Orthodoxy and in many of my articles. It’s a psychological construct primarily made up of our carnal nature and our early belief structures. I use the term to distinguish between our psychical, carnal, error-driven self-image and our authentic, spiritually connected, and empowered Self. It represents a corrupted version of one of our two ”I’s,” as it’s the persona that has been constructed almost entirely by other people and influences. It’s the image we present to the world to demonstrate that we have everything under control.
It’s a fabricated “I”. It’s me, but it’s not the real me. It’s my carnal nature’s interpretation of me in this experiential circumstance. It is the ‘i” that circumstance, experience, and psychology have built. It is not made in the image of God; instead, it is made in line with the pattern of this world.
Likewise, your Little-i is you, in a sense, but not the real you. It has been cobbled together by previous instruction and experience. There is zero validity in its operating beliefs until you take responsibility and scrutinize the usefulness of these inherited ideas.
This constructed sense of self can often mislead us into believing that our manufactured identity is our true self. In essence, the Little-i represents the carnal nature discussed in various spiritual traditions, including the Bible, which hijacks our ego and fills it with worldly, inaccurate notions of identity.
Defining Little-i
The Little-i is not just a simple part of our identity. It’s a complex web of ideas formed during our developmental years. Influenced by the opinions of others, we’ve cobbled together a sense of self that actually covers over our true essence, our actual being. This distortion leads us to identify with external validations and societal expectations, which can create new false narratives about who we are and what we can and can’t do. And so the grip of Litle-i is strengthened. Little-i lives on the inside but only trusts the external senses.
As we grow, the Little-i takes shape through various external influences. The messages we receive from the world around us, whether from family, peers, education, or television, contribute to a skewed perception of self. This constructed identity is often laden with insecurities and fears, shaping our beliefs and behaviors in ways that almost certainly do not all reflect our authentic selves.
It uses the subtle language of fear, retreat, constriction, and compensation. It is the voice you hear inside that continually talks you out of becoming your best self. It’s the arrogant and prideful voice that justifies bad behavior and us pulling up short with other people. It is the architect and builder of well-executed and often undetected self-sabotage. It is a relentless rehearsal of the reasons why you can’t be, do, and have more and better (and please don’t restrict this to money)!
I began using this distinction as I became more aware of the error of our psychological sense of separation from God. Our created identity, Imago-Dei (the image and likeness of God), versus our constructed identity, Little-i, is a far more sublime and glorious reflection of our Source Creator. This One is with us, always. There is no separation; it’s a Little-i lie. In our ignorance, we struggle to get LOVE to come to us. In our illumination, we know to get Little-i out of the way and let LOVE out!
Your truest identity is NOT the you that you may call you. That is not the eternal I Am that resides in the consciousness of evolving and expanding souls. The you you most likely think is you is the constructed ego-complex, or the Little-i. It is represented by everything in you that is not from the Divine fount of life. In Biblical parlance, Little-i is the carnal you, the natural you. But you, loved one, are created and called to be supernatural. This is your unfolding!
The Role of the Ego
The ego, in relation to the Little-i, serves as a mechanism that reinforces feelings of separation from our true identity. It becomes the lens through which we view ourselves and the world, often amplifying the fears and insecurities rooted in the Little-i ingrained beliefs. This relationship can lead to a cycle of self-doubt and confusion, making it challenging to recognize and embrace our higher selves.
However, the ego isn’t bad or something that needs to be destroyed—or, as some Traditionalists say, ‘it needs to die.’ The ego comes with the meat suit, which needs the ego like it needs air. The body is the primary vehicle consciousness uses to interact with the material world, and the ego is the primary interface we use to interact with the psychological, psychic, and spiritual world within us as we are developing. The ego is like the mixing valve. It doesn’t need to die; it needs to be subdued and trained. What needs to die, every day, are the ideas and schemes of Little-i!
Ego is the substructure of our conscious being and affords us awareness of an us, a me, and an “I.” It also bridges the inner and outer worlds and has great influence on our will, which is the mode or vehicle of expression. If Little-i is on the throne, meaning, making decisions and calling all the shots, then ego is bound, and your decisions and actions will be Little-i influenced and executed.
The ego works to sort out the voluminous amounts of information that come to us all day, every day. It works in conjunction with the subconscious mind, but it is not the subconscious mind. Our language and even our inner voice penetrate our subconscious mind and wield tremendous influence over our reactions, actions, and behaviors. If Little-i keeps interpreting all the information and reading the script, the story is going to keep coming out the same! It is crucial that you understand this complex and begin to operate and organize your worlds with this knowledge in mind.
Emotional Impact of Little-i
Your Little-i generates a range of negative emotions, such as fear, confusion, and anger. These emotions often arise from the internal conflict between our constructed identity and our deeper, more authentic self. The voice of the Little-i can lead us to feel inadequate or unworthy, pulling us further away from our true potential if we’re not aware and careful.
To begin breaking free from the limitations imposed by the Little-i, it’s essential to develop self-awareness. Pay attention to the thoughts and emotions that arise in your daily life. Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing and self-reflection, can help you detach from the narratives spun by the Little-i. When negative emotions surface, take a moment to step back and observe them without judgment. Ask yourself: What is really bothering me? What beliefs underlie these feelings?
Discovering and reclaiming our true identity involves recognizing the influence of the Little-i and actively working to transform that narrative. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind! Embrace practices that align you with You, your higher self. Understand that the limitations of the Little-i do not accurately define you. We need to learn and practice the truth about ourselves, our God, and who we are in Him. This divine essence resides within you. Believe it. Live like it.
The journey to understanding and transcending the Little-i is crucial to personal growth. By acknowledging its presence and impact, we can begin to dismantle the false narratives that have shaped our identities. Embrace the opportunity for self-discovery, and know that your True Self—your Imago-Dei—is waiting to be realized more and more every single day!
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