Happy Thanksgiving 2007
(P1) PhilosophicalThe EGO ProjectRecently I sent the following observation and inquiry to several individuals who I thought might be interested in weighing in on the subject of the good, the bad, and the ugly about "Ego." I'll follow my opening salvo with the thought-provoking responses from these folks.
I ask that you, dear readers, then join this informal forum with your own views on the general subject of "ego."
I began, "As I write, or as any artist does his/her art, and likes what he or she sees, isn't it a natural tendency to want others to enjoy it as well? When I play chess, certainly I enjoy the experience, but I also play to win. When I speak, I use the word "I." Yet all about me, well-meaning folks disparage the ego and tell me that we must do all in our power to drop it. We are counseled also not to desire. It seems to me that both of these injunctions are counter to our human natures or human habits. Are we here to seek to expunge our very humanity? Is this sort of counsel another aspect of preparing for some "pie-in-the-sky" after-existence? So stay with me for a moment. Let's even posit the possibility (faint though I believe it to be) of an afterlife or even of an existence of pure energy where no ego exists. Then why (if the word "why" has any significance at all) are we here? Were there an internal consistency to all of this, whether a "cause" or a "logic," then isn't it most plausible that this present experience that we all experience exists for "ego" or "personhood" rather than for its expunging? Perhaps, along with Walt Whitman, it's time again to proudly exclaim that, "I celebrate my self!"
Here are the first responses in alphabetical order:
Ed, Not to go pendantic, but I think it helps to define terms. “Ego” has come to be interchangeable with “egotistic” which the O.E.D. means excess of ego, in a negative sense, whereas “ego,” I’ve always understood, is simply that part of the personality that is concerned with the self -- in a healthy sense. If I remember my Freud (maybe you know him better than I), the ego is a very healthy component...where the “super ego” is fraught with potential harm..left uncontrolled it’s dictatorial, judgmental, punitive. I see George Bush, for example, as having a weak ego — probably low self-esteem, making it impossible for him to hear points of view other than his own. . . But he has a way overactive superego making him rigid, moralistic, contemptuous. Given all that, I disagree that we’re here to do away with healthy ego or our human personality. I think people who deny their personalities end up resentful and fucked up, and, ironically, become the very person who tries to snuff out others’ uniqueness. I think Whitman’s “self” is a healthy ego because it allows for all kinds of new experiences, comes across as robust but not domineering. There’s nothing harsh or mean in his poetry Also, what does “celebrate” really mean? Expressed in a healthy way, it delights in itself, revels in being who it is....but that’s not the same as hitting everyone over the head with it or suppressing the very same thing in others. I feel if I can’t “celebrate” myself, I can’t celebrate anyone else either, which renders me a bad friend, lover, parent, etc. In a practical way, say performing in public, I think I strive for a kind of double awareness that lets me revel in the attention and gives me a glow of well-being, and be fulfilled through recognition, but some other inner voice is saying: easy, now. Keep it in moderation. You’re not the only thing happening here . . . and let’s not be too starved for adulation because that way madness lies. David Beckman
ed
try not to bait a buddhist
first, you need an ego
(that's an integrated ego)
before you can loose it
r(richard denner)
Phew! Eddie, you sure dream up some good ones! My off-the-top reply is that I go with Walt!
But, I'll get into this later. Right now, it's Sunday Night Football, Bears and Packers. I'm going to watch a lot of BIG egos go to work.
*****
I believe that if you love all that exists in the universe, including yourself, you can play chess competitively and not worry about having an ego. Who's judging you, anyway? Only you.
As to why we are here, I believe it is because we are natural "accidents". The Eternal Energy (if you will) is creating constantly and humans just sort of happened, as did trees and monkeys and eagles and mountains and moons and suns. We are not here for any "why", we are just here. When our physical presence dies, our ego dies with it. But our Eternal (spiritual?) Energy, that which caused us to be created, continues on. Forever.
****
While your Ego is present in this existence, you may find yourself being more happy when you make another ego happy. You may find that your existence is more fulfilled and peaceful when you show love and compassion for others. And, not just human egos, but all things, animal, vegetable and, yes, mineral. Does not the weed compete with the rose for space, water, sunlight? Does not the horse compete with the buffalo for grass? These are competitions for survival and are a part of this existence. The human being has evolved past those competitions (you'd never know it from all the religious and political wars going on!), but still possesses the competitive trait or "nature". I believe all things have a "nature" and part of the human "nature" is to be competitive. I don't find this contrary to finding peace and enlightenment within. Friendly, innocent competition, such as a chess game, will not detract from your enlightened state, at whatever stage that is. Exhibiting, or releasing the need for, that competition in sports and games is a harmless way to live a full and, at the same time, loving life.Announcing "Check Mate" proudly, triumphantly, is not a statement of "I'm better than you", unless you want it to mean that. If your thoughts at that winning moment are, "I won that one, perhaps you will win the next one", what harm is done? If your thoughts are "I won that one and I'll win them all from you, dolt ,because I'm better and smarter than you!", then perhaps you should examine your soul.Is this part of a plan? That's the question that brings us back to the "Why?" issue. I don't think there is a plan and don't give it much thought. We're here,and it's better to be nice and have good fun, than to be mean and grouchy."
Okay, I quit. Gotta finish working on my race car so I can be COMPETITIVE! :-)
Duncan
Hi Ed, I love these kinds of explorations for ultimately it is the stuff of soul that emerges, taking us to a new level of consciousness, carved out by the angst of ego. Your question has the age old paradox of East vs West. I hold that anytime we either/or anything we can get into trouble. We live in an incredible time of learning how to have both, a weave if you will, of an individuated ego with a soulfilled spiritual presence whose fruits are the necessary components that serve the world.
Ego gets me into trouble when I loose site of my connection to unity consciousness, feeling I am alone and have to do something to fix or save the world. But, my ego becomes apart of the spiritual dance when I listen to what it loves and what its dreams and desires are. For me the spiritual process is helping to mature my ego to have it under the more wise direction of my true essence or the Self that listens to Soul.
I believe that never before this time, are our contributions more essential. May our contributions serve the world, to heal and empower news ways that serve the greater good. I read a newspaper headline while I was in Europe: "Never has there been a time, where so few have control over so many". We have to individuate, and express our unique self, our 'ego, our I' without falling into the trap of self pride and aggrandizement.
I could say more, but maybe that could be my ego. I do love this kind of exploration. One more thought however, the Shamanic world would say, that a healthy life is built upon the foundation of a healthy ego. Ego or I is knowing who I am, what I love, value and desire, while believing in myself and my ability to attain that which I desire. This is wholeness. The ego can only be transcended once it is whole. Splitting ourselves from our ego may infact be the reason so many of us are co-dependent and lost.
Just thinking and thanks for asking.
Gayle
Comment Here on any of the above or below and read the comments of others too. Log in as "Other" if you like, but please be sure to sign some facsimile of your name. Or email me at edcoletti@sbcglobal.net.
Slow Coup
If voting changed anything
it would be illegal
- Ed Dorn
Comment Here on any of the above or below and read the comments of others too. Log in as "Other" if you like, but please be sure to sign some facsimile of your name. Or email me at edcoletti@sbcglobal.net.
(P3) Poetical
Obituary At a late age, he was born
of no father or mother
he simply emerged.
He could not do what he was told
to do by any single soul,
but he tried.
Detours overwhelmed him
with allure and sadness,
few lines ran straight.
Walking the long walk,
he preferred those vast dark spaces
among infrequent stars.
(Ed Coletti © 2007)
Comment Here on any of the above or below and read the comments of others too. Log in as "Other" if you like, but please be sure to sign some facsimile of your name. Or email me at edcoletti@sbcglobal.net.
