Ego, Ergo Sum

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."

— William James

I have an ego, therefore I exist.

Not so.

Have you ever thought that you have lost your self — your authentic self — somewhere along the way in life? That the pressures or stresses of life have caused you to be less of who you truly are? That you act as someone who others expect you to be, or approve of, but not really your true self?

You see yourself in the mirror.

Whose face do you wash? The one in the mirror, or the one you realize is your real self? Which do you confer the quality of "life" to? Do you recognize the difference between shadow and substance, reality and illusion? Do you only know your real self by your unreal reflection?

There is a difference between the false image of the ego and our "authentic self." The authentic self is the inner spiritual being, based in reality, inner-directedness, conscience, inner awareness, inner wisdom, and unselfish purpose. The ego is an outer-world reflection, based in illusions, approval-seeking behavior, rationalization of wrong behavior, denial, programming, and selfish ambition. The more ego you have, the less authentic self you have.

When we speak of two paths in life, and two very different sets of choices available to you, the set of choices that brings you fulfillment is the one that honors your authentic self; the one that invalidates your own true inner being (or that of others) is the path of ego. No matter how engaged you are in pursuing ego-driven goals, they must eventually disappoint you, because they are based upon illusions of who you are — not who you truly are.

"Freedom" is not just freedom from the things outside you that oppress you, it is freedom from the things within you that may oppress you even more. Once the outer world oppresses you sufficiently, you internalize it. It lives in you, and runs your life. Until you are mature enough, and begin to release yourself from the grip of ego — and choose to do so — you may remain lost in the false identity and role you play in this world of illusions. read more ...

Part 1 2 3 View entire article Articles directory

Share this: