Throwing off the Control of the Ego.
At some stage in our journey to enlightenment, before we can receive enlightenment* we usually need to undergo a major initiation in which our lower-self personality, passes from being under the control of our ego (the mind-made identity we believe ourselves to be ) and willingly comes under the guidance and leadership of Spirit. This initiation is composed of a series of difficult and painful events which are best described by using the metaphor of Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection. It is, quite simply, a test of our spiritual Mastery, and it only presents itself when we are ready.
When we have emerged from this cycle of events our lower-self personality has been purified of the lower instincts, impulses, desires and emotions, which until this point in our life, have ruled and driven our actions and behaviour. Once we are free of the misleading influence of our mind-created ego, we are transformed, re-born, as it were, into a freer, more conscious, joyful, creative and powerful version of our former self. We understand our part in the Divine Plan and are in full possession of the skills, abilities and strengths we need to carry it out successfully.
So, the series of events that make up our personal Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection, are challenges, trials and tests which provide our personality with perfect opportunities to become free of our baser, lower aspects and weaknesses. At the same time, these events also enable us to conquer and master our insistence on asserting our individual will. Instead of following our own personal will, we learn the wisdom of choosing to submit consciously to the Higher, Divine Will and so allowing ourselves to come under the leadership and guidance of Spirit, rather than the dominance and control of the ego.