Let go of the ego to attain liberation and authenticity!
Ego is a very common word we use in everyday conversations. However, what exactly is it? What do we refer to, and how do we define it? This question has bothered me for a long time. I heard and used this word while growing up but never really understood it. You must have also heard that this person has an ego or is egoistic. I've spent a lot of time trying to understand the subject and realizing how crucial it is to let go to become one with the universe.
Ego is not just about being full of yourself. It's something deeper. Consider the ego to be a home created brick by brick, with our experiences, beliefs, cultural training, and opinions serving as the building blocks. Over time, this house becomes your whole world, limiting how you see things. You might start feeling like you're in control, but you're just stuck inside this self-made fortress.
The sense of "I" or “me” that we acquire as we mature and engage with the outside world can be understood as the ego or personality. We form an internalized picture of who we are based on our perceptions of our social roles, talents, and shortcomings. This sense of ourselves is the cornerstone of our ego, directing our feelings, ideas, and moreover, actions.
Ego formation starts in childhood when we begin noticing there is a physical difference between us and the outside world. We start creating our own IDENTITY, which is where it all starts.
Successes and failures strengthen our ego as we mature. Successes strengthen it, while setbacks can either weaken or strengthen it depending on our interpretation. For example, a career-minded individual may base their ego on their professional identity, but setbacks may foster resilience or self-doubt. Personal reflection expands on this awareness, bringing complexity to the ego.
Ego generates a false sense of separation from others and the world. This sensation of isolation grows, and the identity strengthens, creating an impenetrable amalgam of our beliefs and the reality we build in our brains. We regard others as competitors rather than friends, causing conflict, division, and loneliness.
As I discussed in my last blog, we are all part of one. You and I are not we; you and I are ONE.
The ego, a primary source of suffering, clings to illusions of control and permanence. Recognizing and releasing it leads to true freedom and joy. Dissolving ego leads to inner peace by reducing internal conflict driven by desires and attachments. Relationships become more authentic and compassionate without egoic filters, fostering deeper connections. Releasing the ego opens the mind to greater clarity and wisdom, allowing for objective decision-making from a place of inner truth.
But how can we dissolve the ego and let go of the rigid personality?
Recognizing the interconnectivity with the cosmos is critical to transcending the constraints of the ego. Recognize your ego's presence and actions first. Observe your feelings without judgment. View them as passing clouds, not the sky. You grow more detached from ideas and emotions when the ego's power over you relaxes, and you see things as they are. Fluidity of personality is the key. When you don’t become attached to one personality, one thought, one emotion, etc., meaning you are not rigid, it helps you to be what is appropriate in a situation.
Separating from outcomes further reduces ego. Focusing on the process rather than the result reduces ego control over emotions. Meditation and mindfulness help us view our ideas without attachment, reducing ego influence. They allow you to create a little space between you and yours, which is the first step in letting go of the ego.
Additionally, compassion and acceptance are vital. Extending compassion towards oneself and others weakens the ego, enabling us to relinquish our critical nature and accept our imperfections as inherent components of the human condition. We diminish our egos when we treat ourselves kindly rather than harshly when we make errors.
This adjustment in perspective involves recognizing that the "I"-idea is not our fundamental identity but rather a thought like any other. Disidentifying from this concept allows us to recognize our true nature and provides immense freedom, peace, and a strong sense of life's interconnectedness.
This process of ego dissolution is about self-discovery, not altering the personality. Are you ready to leave your ego's confines and embrace your genuine self's vastness? There lies the pathway towards a more gratifying existence.
Does this idea resonate with you? What steps will you take? Let me know in the comments below.