Although most human beings experience their consciousness as a distinct and autonomous reality, from a higher standpoint, it is only a relative and temporary expression of the soul on the earth plane. Depending on the level of our spiritual evolution, our human identity either affirms the shadow of its false sense of independence or supports the realization of its ultimate purpose, its surrender to the soul. However, before the human can initiate the process of its own awakening and dissolution, he must reach a level of completion within his earthly existence. Only from a place of relative completion and maturity can we realize that our human life is not an abiding reality, but a transitory stage in our eternal growth towards higher consciousness and transcendence from the earth.