The principle challenge presented by self-awareness is that it is not easy. It is in fact the hardest thing for the human mind to do. It requires the ability to step outside oneself, looking at one’s thoughts and beliefs with the same dispassionate objectivity with which one might regard those of a complete stranger’s. It demands an inner ruthlessness, an unsympathetic readiness to excise and discard beliefs that have been found wanting. This is always at least a little painful, and can become excruciating if the beliefs in question are deeply rooted, connected to a large number of subsidiary beliefs, such that with the capstone removed, the archways holding up whole treasured cathedrals of thought may come crashing down.