[Jyotir]

Originally Posted by iamthat

Perhaps we have to differentiate between individual consciousness and the idea of the personal self.

We are Being, experiencing creation as individualised consciousness which manifests in form as some kind of personal identity.

When consciousness identifies with personality in form, that personal identity seems real.

When consciousness rests in itself, the personal identity is seen to be an illusion.

When consciousness identifies with Being then consciousness knows itself to be one with everything.

But even within this unity, individual consciousness remains.

Peace.

A good suggestion and synopsis iamthat, hopefully one that spiritual aspirants of the forum will heed and apply.

I would also add that misguided 'ego-defenders' would benefit enormously by not equating ego with individualization exclusively, and take the time and effort to refine the understanding of terms they seem to casually employ in discussion - but also importantly, must necessarily be employing those self-conflicted confusions in practice as a result.

The 'ego' is the separative consciousness within the differentiated individual human being which must be annihilated, which is precisely what the ego is fearful of - because it sees itself falsely as separate AND sovereign within 'reality', and if separative consciousness is annihilated, then self and reality is annihilated as well, e.g., 'the game' is over. Not true, and that is the illusion.

Ego is inherently ignorant of Truth because it sees reality in and through the very falsehood and limitation that it is. It must be annihilated because any trace of that separative consciousness is a sustainment and perpetuation of ignorance (or illusion/'unreal').

On the other hand, the soul (jivatman) is the fully conscious aspect of the individuated human being which is permanently one with all Being in truth consciousness.

As is suggested, it is the identification by the individual with either the separative consciousness (ego) leading to worldly strife, or the soul which leads to the realization of One Self which the soul intrinsically possesses - consciously.

True: we are uniquely differentiated individuals of and within One Self.
But 'ego' does not represent the totality of that individuation.
iow...Individual self does not represent illusion - separate self does.

~ J