Add demanding French exam to the list. Ego worries about constant failure based on previous patterns. Rudder should take note of my progress and eventual success.
I basically concur about “the self,” buy, as is so frequently the case, we want to somehow villainize the “ego,” which has to be thinking all the time as it is the seat of our consciousness, the vessel in which the self guides us as we sail through life. Without it there is no “I” and no “self”.
Don’t you think this organizer of our identity must intimately co-exist and thrive alongside the spiritual self, which eventually, in spiritual progression, encapsulates, subsumes and hones ego to its highest level of fulfillment and usefulness to the soul?
No I wouldn’t want to villainise the ego, it’s fundamental for navigating this space. The problem arises when we over identify with it, entirely believing its narratives and the illusion of identity it constructs
Wouldn’t it be impossible to entirely believe the ego’s narratives because the self is always intervening and assuring us we exist? Therefore, how can we have an illusory identity if our sense of sense is strong and intact, and even if we over-identify with ego? That’s what we all do except for those who are most advanced and enlightened.
My traumas were the events leading up to an extended time of clinical depression. I still have flashbacks almost 50 years later. But as much as I might have lost connection with the my “self” I still retained the ability to trust myself and fight and endure this prolonged affliction. The suffering from this led to a miraculous period of not just recovery, but spiritual and religious rebirth that most likely never would have occurred, or at least not with such life-changing results, deep conviction, and hope for the future.
And, Gabor Mate was so correct when he talked or wrote about “the wisdom of trauma.” As horrible as it can be, suffering carries with it meaning and earned wisdom.
Excellent perspective. As it happens I'm trying to decide whether to travel or stay here with my elderly Dad; I'd hate to be far away in the case of something happening. Ego says go, self says not so sure.
Add demanding French exam to the list. Ego worries about constant failure based on previous patterns. Rudder should take note of my progress and eventual success.
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Love that image of the rudder. Describes the idea perfectly
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I basically concur about “the self,” buy, as is so frequently the case, we want to somehow villainize the “ego,” which has to be thinking all the time as it is the seat of our consciousness, the vessel in which the self guides us as we sail through life. Without it there is no “I” and no “self”.
Don’t you think this organizer of our identity must intimately co-exist and thrive alongside the spiritual self, which eventually, in spiritual progression, encapsulates, subsumes and hones ego to its highest level of fulfillment and usefulness to the soul?
No I wouldn’t want to villainise the ego, it’s fundamental for navigating this space. The problem arises when we over identify with it, entirely believing its narratives and the illusion of identity it constructs
Wouldn’t it be impossible to entirely believe the ego’s narratives because the self is always intervening and assuring us we exist? Therefore, how can we have an illusory identity if our sense of sense is strong and intact, and even if we over-identify with ego? That’s what we all do except for those who are most advanced and enlightened.
Such very wise and welcome words! Thank you.
My traumas were the events leading up to an extended time of clinical depression. I still have flashbacks almost 50 years later. But as much as I might have lost connection with the my “self” I still retained the ability to trust myself and fight and endure this prolonged affliction. The suffering from this led to a miraculous period of not just recovery, but spiritual and religious rebirth that most likely never would have occurred, or at least not with such life-changing results, deep conviction, and hope for the future.
And, Gabor Mate was so correct when he talked or wrote about “the wisdom of trauma.” As horrible as it can be, suffering carries with it meaning and earned wisdom.
Excellent perspective. As it happens I'm trying to decide whether to travel or stay here with my elderly Dad; I'd hate to be far away in the case of something happening. Ego says go, self says not so sure.
I'm in a similar position re my next move. Just trying to sit with it for the moment. Wishing you and your Dad the best, Chuck
Thanks Patrick, best to you