Clearing the channel to let the river flow connects between the source and the end. It is valuable to open the channel, but no matter how large, it can not contain or express all the water, for the ocean of nature feeds the stream. Only by becoming the water can one express it. Lessening self is like opening the channel - a wonderful thing in itself, though limited.
The muscle is stretched and strengthened through use. Practice on the instrument is the work of the musician. Until one can let go of the scales and become the music one is separate still. Only the music can express through the musician.
It is like building a grand castle to host the king. Until one becomes as the king, the home is for someone else, and partially used.
Letting go of self is the only stage to union of value; the rest becoming as precursors to that. And upon the step, true value is found in becoming. For then one sees oneself in all. Becoming more, expressing through, always more, becoming, Be. Constantly being, there is never enough to contain it, nor to be contained within or through, for all is of oneself.