Thank you for your comments and sharing your experience. The post was written more than a year ago and since then, I have developed greater insights. For a start, I would like to believe that we are evaluating things based on what has happened for us.

I see the ego is a learning tool. I don’t necessarily “defend” myself from my ego. If you have read one of my newer posts, you would realize that I have recently chosen to face my shadow.

I can relate to what you said “Sure their vision is short-sighted, selfish even but some of their actions can lead to greater good both intentionally and unintentionally”. Still, it does not take away the fact that the ego is involved. There is the risk of spiritual ego, for instance, for those who call themselves “lightworkers”.

The idea is not to get rid of the ego but to use it well. We allow ourselves to be led by our higher selves rather than let our egos. It is true that the ego can help to defend, shield and protect ourselves. We acknowledge its help but also understand that there may come a time, when it no longer serves us in the situation where it is in control.

I have an idea of what you mean by “fracture my ego” and the possibility of staying lost after losing yourself. I don’t disagree. Based on my personal experiences, I would also recommend that anyone who decides to delve into the psyche be skilled enough or have proper guidance.

Your comments have been extremely helpful for me. If you would like to discuss this further, do email to me directly.

Take care,
Evelyn

The ego is a shield.
It defends you from the egos of others. The vast majority of people you deal with a are immature, and will unconscious steal ‘energy’ from you.
You also defend yourself form your own shadow, animus and external entities of a more shall we say, ‘ethereal’ nature.
Even a false belief in yourself or sheer disbelief in the existence of something weakens it, if you’re pig-headed enough.

The ego serves to focus will. Some of the egoistic people may demonstrate all the symptoms you mentioned as form-identity but its precisely that which allows them to accomplish incredible things. Sure their vision is short-sighted, selfish even but some of their actions can lead to greater good both intentionally and unintentionally.

A weakened ego, will only lead to depression.
I do not disagree that there MUST be transformation from an unaware ego state to a true self state and a transcendent state beyond but there is significant risk and truth in that you can stay lost if you lose yourself.

…He wrote that . . ….

Great post and such an important part of the path. I completely agree with your point that some spiritual seekers end up giving up one ego based form identity for another.

The most painful form identity I continue to let go of is the identity of my parents. This was the one which left me feeling lost for a while. Lost but incredibly free!

In peace and prosperity

Lola

What a surprise! I’m honored that you came over to my blog for a visit even though you are in the midst of a “I CAN DO IT” seminar and obviously busy.

My opinion is that Eckhart Tolle articulated beautifully the things we already know intuitively. However due to our crowded minds, we had difficulty ourselves nailing these down; and so it was that we were in the illusion of suffering.

Me too. I also got sick of being on an emotional roller coaster. I like your B.C. age definition…it’s right on! I seem to be gaining more and more from my meditation these days, being in the now, and letting go my ego-identifications. The result is peace.

It’s great that we are on the same journey! I wish you continued peace, joy, love and light.

Evelyn

I think my transformation of this nature came a lot through the help of the “A New Earth” book by Eckhart Tolle. It just all made so much sense, the ego, the pain body, the form identification…

For me it was not that that book changed me, but it reinforced and helped me understand what I was living. I understood where my present peace came from and where my past distress came from. I understood more about others too in letting them be who they are and not judging as Kristi above said, for many around us are tied to many forms and false identities.

So what did it for me? I guess I was just sick and tired of being on the roller coaster of life in the B.C. age (before consciousness)
There were always those ups and downs of extreme happiness and extreme sadness, until I let consciousness in, started to own my thoughts, own the present moment and realize that I am nothing more at any moment than the “I am”. I don’t need to identify with any thought, event, emotion or thing – they were not me and I was not them. And I have to say it has been a very smooth ride since then.

@Victor, I think that there may be well be some people who know that they are wearing masks but feel that they cannot afford to take theirs down. So in a sense, to these people, the masks are hardly subtle. The risk of not being socially accepted is just too high!