Stave off Ego's Tyranny

So, I've reached a point of detachment from my own ego's desires (or at least one major one). Though, I realize this is only temporary--for the good fight will be waged until the day I die. This website helps in recognizing ego constructs that begin to appear into thoughts or throughout the spiritual journey. It's a helpful tool for those who are interested. :)

http://wisdomsgoldenrod.org/notebooks/8/4

Hope someone finds it as useful as I have.

What a great article!!

I struggle with fighting the "ego" and surrendering it and letting it go. It will be a life long process, but this did put some things into perspective for me. Thank you for sharing this!

I would like to suggest a book by Eva Pierrakos, "The Pathwork of Self-transformation".

It is the thinnest and most difficult book I have ever read and well worth the effort.

I still struggle with ego--but didn't even consider the necessity--before reading this book.

[wstein]

To permanently stop ego's tyranny, you have to show it that you are taking responsibility and control of your life. I know it doesn't seem like it, but egos don't actually want to be running your life. They only reluctantly do so when 'no one else' is. Given the option of relinquishing control back to a 'responsible party', they will do so.

[adamm[]]

why is the ego bad? what exactly is the ego? I hear the ego is who you are and believe yourself to be, if we had no egos, wouldnt we all be the same. And if the ego is your own desires, whats the point of being able to manifest abundance for yourself if u had no desires to fulfill.

Is wanting to watch a movie an egotistical urge? is wanteng a better car feeding your ego?

Glad you found it helpful!

The ego is actually what separates you from being happy, because it may hold our 'identity' but it tricks us into believing that we are incomplete. So those very desires are 'needs' that are not real. The ego tells us we need a better car or something, but this type of 'need' is an illusion. Since the only true needs we 'need' are food/shelter to keep us alive--all else is only extra to 'add' happiness to our lives. When deep down there is no need for these things because we have the capacity to be happy within self. If we are unhappy, we have created our own unhappiness through 'desire'. So basically, the soul is complete and if we listen to higher self rather than ego or desire, then we are able to constantly live at a level of happiness without outside wants and needs.

[adamm[]]

ahhh i see.

but then, whats the point of living without desire to do something? what are true needs other than necessary survival? are you saying i cannot have any desires? or will my desires come to me once i let go of being unhappy that i dont have them?

Well, I think through ego detachment, we learn to focus our potential on what is truly worthwhile. Instead of being distracted by what we think we want or by what is just excess and unnecessary. Or what ego tricks us into thinking we want, but the desire itself causes unhappiness. And sometimes even when we get the thing that we want, we learn it is not actually a source of happiness.

If we consider happiness our true desire, and we realize we have the ability to find it within, it becomes what we have rather than what we want. Then, if we have happiness, we no longer look for it outside self and can share it with others--thus multiply positive feelings. We are also no longer dependent upon outside things to bring us happiness. Desire can then be directed by the higher self rather than ego wants (which much of the time are misleading/flawed in a subtle way). The higher self--unegotistical and even-tempered is much better at directing us toward what we truly desire.

Originally Posted by adamm[]

ahhh i see.

but then, whats the point of living without desire to do something? what are true needs other than necessary survival? are you saying i cannot have any desires? or will my desires come to me once i let go of being unhappy that i dont have them?

I take a different view of this topic and would like to share.

We must have certain things--if we are going to live in a capitalistic society.

We must have a job--in order to buy food, pay bills, obtain shelter, and so on...

We will need new clothes and a new vehicle--when the old ones are worn out--because very few things live forever.

The goal is to strive for balance and (unless we live in a Sangha--a Monastery--or Convent) we have to be present and engage the world in which we live.

However--that thing about manifesting all of your desires--makes me uncomfortable...no one (IMHO) should have all of there desires met.

They would become spoiled rotten.

It is good if we have all our "needs" met--better if we can make do with what we have--until we can save to obtain what we need. However...(again--this is my personal opinion)...just because we desire something--doesn't necessarily mean we should have it.

I've been living within my means all of my life and have known people who had more--but their things did not seem to make them happy. They just had more to care for and they were never truly satisfied--always looking for the next thing.

The Buddhists believe that over consumption creates all of the dis ease in the world and that satisfaction brings joy.

Just imagine...what would it be like--if we were completely satisfied with what we have right now?

Peace and Love on your path to discovering the mysteries...

Blessed be...