What Blocks the Realisation of our True Nature? The full realisation of our true nature is typically blocked by a limited identification with aspects of our developing sense of ‘self’ - an energetic structure we call personality or ego. Our ego is an orienting capacity that assists us in negotiating our more personal explorations in the Earth realm. The ego begins developing in early childhood and is shaped by our family of origin, community, and culture where certain values and beliefs are reinforced. In an effort to incorporate these beliefs, to live up to these external expectations, we can disown aspects of our being, aspects perceived as threatening to our sense of identity. These disowned aspects, both the positive and the negative, are often projected back onto the external environment, onto other people and situations, and sometimes onto forces larger than ourselves. For a time, this can appear to protect us from the discomfort and confusion associated with these disowned aspects of Self.