I rewatched that Eckhart+Oprah vid ^^
Another word I'd use for when he says "identifying" with (something)
would be attachment
ie. It is okay to have likes and dislikes and opinions and thoughts
but make sure you don't get 'attached' to it
I do remember some times ago identifying with certain material things, and I found myself not liking that thing anymore. In that case I had to 'change' my views... I guess it's important to remain flexible
--
I'd like to ask about something else though
for example you don't exactly like crowds so you don't always go to parties, social functions
Is it ego saying you dont want to go?
or is it something part of the real you?
If I 'make' myself go, I do end up hating it/feeling lousy. Is that ego though?
It's easy with material things, but like the woman who was known for being beautiful in the video and is now old and has a hard time letting go, it's harder to analyse these non-material situations