We have a greater, larger, higher self - our spirit.
We are also made up of our smaller, more fearful, emotionally charged ego and human self.
A lot of understanding can be done in simply acknowledge the two points of difference.
You can not escape your human self - you can practise managing it, but we can't escape our human self. Why? Because we are human!
So, we must learn to settle in.
A lot of spiritual teachers say we must study Self until we reach the highest level of enlightenment- I understand respect this, but to offer a differing opinion - I also think there is so much valuable learning in also experiencing and observing the human life.
We have been blessed with this experience - this game of life, it is so important to allow our SELF to actually experience it.
Life - in my perspective is about finding harmony in balance.