In this session, we'll be exploring 'the ego', and clarifying the relationship between mindfulness and our concept of the self. At the deepest level, mindfulness practice cultivates a different relationship with the self. The observing stance that becomes stronger after repeated and consistent mindfulness practice allows us to take a step back from all kinds of thoughts, including identity-related thoughts. Identity can be described as a rather static and thought-based story of “me”. Mindfulness creates room for a more dynamic sense of self, which can be described as an ever-present observer. This observer is aware of the stories about the self, and so is by definition different from the stories themselves. In this session, we'll experience the difference between the self as a story and the self as an observer, and the impacts these different stances can have on our wellbeing.