Many people hold in esteem the concept of believing in something "greater than the self"... or being a part of something "greater than the self". It's not something they question a lot... just sort of sounds right.
What if the challenge of being a human being is not to find something "greater than the self" but rather to realize that you are a self that is worthy to stand apart on his or her own merits. Yes, you take part in things, but the things are not who you are.
To desire to be part of something "greater than yourself" strikes me as similar to the desire to be a cog in a machine.
I don't know anyone who aspires to be merely a cog. I know unique and beautiful human beings all trying their best to find new ways to be more fully themselves.