EGO vs SELF

The Ego is like a mask that we have been taught to wear since birth.  It is who we believe ourselves to be. It is our reference point and our “home” in the world. It is all about me, myself and I.  I want this, I want that, I am better, I feel bad, I don’t want that, etc….. When we live in the Ego we are inevitably subject to feelings of superiority / inferiority, pride and worthlessness, success and failure.

As babies the first things we notice is the world around us.  This is the way it should be.  This is when we are still our true ‘Self’.  We are delighted in the simple pleasures of life.  We notice the small simple things.  As we get older we are taught about ourselves.  This is where the Ego is born and bred.

Your Ego likes to overpower your Self.  The point of being Authentic is to let go of the Ego and bring forward your true Self.  This is the real YOU.  The Authentic You.  Not the You that has been brainwashed over the years to conform to different sets of standards and dogmas.  The Ego likes to react without thinking.  If you are doing something and you are getting a gut reaction telling you that something is not right, you should heed that message.  This is a warning that your Ego has taken over and is doing something that is not in your best interest.

How do you know whether a feeling you have is coming from your Ego, or from a deeper source?

Sometimes it’s not so easy to tell.  One criterion you can use is to know, if there is any negativity involved, anger, resentment, irritation, then Ego is present there.  If there is no negativity but there is an underlying field of peace, then it arises from a deeper place that is not the Ego.  For example, you may be in a situation, and you may feel that suddenly the right thing to do is to leave the situation – whether it’s a relationship, or a place, or a job, whatever it is – you can direct attention to the feeling to see where it’s coming from.  Is there any reactivity, or anger in the essential part of that feeling?  Or is there just a deep knowing that this is what you have to do, and you do it?  There’s a peace that comes with that.

~  Eckhart Tolle

The Authentic You comes from your heart.  Living your true Self means loving yourself and others. This is not a narcissistic love but a peaceful love.  It is a feeling of contentment and joy within that radiates out from your heart through your smile and eyes.  You will exude a love of life and peace that will attract others to you.

Once you feel this true feeling of peace and love in your heart, you will never want to go back to feeling the Ego take over again.

Namaste!

Donna