The ego, is simply the "self" identified with the body. That is, your eternal true self (that which is non physical - the soul - the spiritual essence of you) identified as your physical form. Nothing more... nothing less.
When this identification happens, the individual thinks of their world as part of their body experience. Their surroundings, their personal experiences, and so on. This is what egocentric really is. It's seeing the world in relationship to their limited perspective.
This perspective is limited, because it is not from a large enough perspective. When looking at "truth" from the perspective of the physical body or even mental state one associates to their body being, then truth becomes skewed. Truth then only accepts what has occurred for this person. Not for the larger person/perspective.
Thus, if a person has a spiritual experience as a Muslim - they say, "This was a real experience for me" (and so it was) "therefore it's reality for all." The Christian likewise would say, "I felt the presence of God" (and so they did) "therefore this path is the only path to God." It breaks down further to "I go to this Christian church that really inspires me, therefore it must be more inspirational then these other Christian churches."
That's all ego.
Ego is beyond religion. Ego also says, "I harmonize with the democratic political party, therefore that's the only intelligent way of solving our problems." That's ego.
Where this is at fault, is if we simply expanded our vision, beyond the body, we would see that all these paths are fine. There is no need to convert anyone. Simply to ask others to find God in their own way would suffice.
Fear, stress, desire... all this is ego. If one is not identified with the body, there is no fear. There is no stress. There is no desire (apart from the desire of God.)
In the East this identification with the body is often referred to as part of Maya (or Delusion.)
Handling the Ego
A way of handling the ego is to (ironically) withdraw into the self. That seems odd right? If the ego is identification with the body, then why withdraw into the body? Because, withdrawing into the self, is not withdrawing into the body.
The self is not the Body. What is external to you, is actually part of your ego identification. The Buddhists say, "Emptiness is Form and Form is Emptiness" which really means everything is a product of your karma and your point of reference. If you look at the president you see a savior, and someone else see's a villain.
Our external world, IS our identification with the body. It IS the Ego expression itself. For we do not see the "true" world, but only the world as our karma paints it to be.
By going inward, we tap into a greater reality, that is our true nature. It's larger in scope then this body. Through this inward walk we commune with God.
This inward journey is through meditation. That doesn't mean there's only an eastern way of finding God. Meditation is neither eastern nor western. It's a tool to achieve this inward communion.
To be balanced, means to not be overly excited, nor stressed. To not run around with extreme giddiness nor to be morose or fearful. When we center, inwardly, we find peace.
Let go of the potential outcomes. Do your duty (job, as a spouse, as a employee, as a employer, as a human being) but if you succeed or fail, realize it's ok either way. It's not apathy. Apathy doesn't try. Love the effort, but don't attach to the outcome. All outcomes are from God. All outcomes teach something, deeper then the ego can recognize.
When this identification happens, the individual thinks of their world as part of their body experience. Their surroundings, their personal experiences, and so on. This is what egocentric really is. It's seeing the world in relationship to their limited perspective.
This perspective is limited, because it is not from a large enough perspective. When looking at "truth" from the perspective of the physical body or even mental state one associates to their body being, then truth becomes skewed. Truth then only accepts what has occurred for this person. Not for the larger person/perspective.
Thus, if a person has a spiritual experience as a Muslim - they say, "This was a real experience for me" (and so it was) "therefore it's reality for all." The Christian likewise would say, "I felt the presence of God" (and so they did) "therefore this path is the only path to God." It breaks down further to "I go to this Christian church that really inspires me, therefore it must be more inspirational then these other Christian churches."
That's all ego.
Ego is beyond religion. Ego also says, "I harmonize with the democratic political party, therefore that's the only intelligent way of solving our problems." That's ego.
Where this is at fault, is if we simply expanded our vision, beyond the body, we would see that all these paths are fine. There is no need to convert anyone. Simply to ask others to find God in their own way would suffice.
Fear, stress, desire... all this is ego. If one is not identified with the body, there is no fear. There is no stress. There is no desire (apart from the desire of God.)
In the East this identification with the body is often referred to as part of Maya (or Delusion.)
Handling the Ego
A way of handling the ego is to (ironically) withdraw into the self. That seems odd right? If the ego is identification with the body, then why withdraw into the body? Because, withdrawing into the self, is not withdrawing into the body.
The self is not the Body. What is external to you, is actually part of your ego identification. The Buddhists say, "Emptiness is Form and Form is Emptiness" which really means everything is a product of your karma and your point of reference. If you look at the president you see a savior, and someone else see's a villain.
Our external world, IS our identification with the body. It IS the Ego expression itself. For we do not see the "true" world, but only the world as our karma paints it to be.
By going inward, we tap into a greater reality, that is our true nature. It's larger in scope then this body. Through this inward walk we commune with God.
This inward journey is through meditation. That doesn't mean there's only an eastern way of finding God. Meditation is neither eastern nor western. It's a tool to achieve this inward communion.
To be balanced, means to not be overly excited, nor stressed. To not run around with extreme giddiness nor to be morose or fearful. When we center, inwardly, we find peace.
Let go of the potential outcomes. Do your duty (job, as a spouse, as a employee, as a employer, as a human being) but if you succeed or fail, realize it's ok either way. It's not apathy. Apathy doesn't try. Love the effort, but don't attach to the outcome. All outcomes are from God. All outcomes teach something, deeper then the ego can recognize.
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