On the surface, this statement suggests that your sense of self, your ego, is the root cause of all your anxieties and dread. It implies that the 'I' you perceive yourself to be is inherently fearful.

In the context of modern non-dual teachings, particularly as articulated by Eckhart Tolle, the ego is understood not as a stable entity but as a construct of thought and identification with form – possessions, roles, opinions, and the past/future. This identification creates a false sense of separation from the underlying Being or Consciousness, which is inherently peaceful and whole. Fear arises because the ego, being a construct, is constantly threatened by impermanence and perceived loss. It seeks security in external things and mental concepts, but these are fleeting, leading to a perpetual state of anxiety. The ego's narrative is one of 'not enough' and 'what if,' fueling a constant state of unease. Tolle's work, drawing from various spiritual traditions, points to the realization of your true nature as pure awareness, beyond the egoic mind, as the cessation of fear.

In your life: Notice when you feel fear and ask yourself if it stems from identifying with a thought, a possession, or a future worry, rather than simply being present.