EGO's THREE ASPECTS #1

 In the next series of blogs we will look at  Karma's requirements and demands in greater detail beginning with Ego. Ego - in relation to Karma - is one of the biggest stumbling blocks on the way to 'Becoming.'

EGO'S TRIAD

sELF-CHERISHING

DESIROUS ATTACHMENT

JUDGMENT

Although Ego is really all one thing it is useful to separate It for the sake of clarity. All three often coexist in the moment.

sELF CHERISHING

(of the small self and Persona) 

self versus Self

"S/he who loses himself, will find himSelf." Matthew

In Yoga Ahamkara (ego) is the deluded sense of "I-ness," the false self that identifies with the body, monkey mind, shadow and achievements, creating separation and suffering. The goal of yoga is to transcend this self-centeredness and attain the non-duality of unity consciousness.

The challenge is relief from ego, how to be free from its tyranny.
The way is relief from ego, surrendering and releasing one’s instinct for protection and cultural conditioning; subduing its tyranny but with respectful and grateful acknowledgement for its appropriate worth. 
The "prize" - the place of arrival - is relief from ego and a true sense of the pleasure of its place.

Ego is our power center and how we make our way in the world. Ego's self-cherishing can comprise, arrogance, pride, prestige, power, opulence and fame. Our goal is not to get rid of Ego but to subordinate it to the higher Self. Ego resides in the Third Chakra and needs to be developed before we ascend to the Fourth Chakra of love and the three higher Chakras above it. We have to self-actualize (as in the small self) and have something to subordinate before we can fully realize the Higher Self. This is why the Yogi, the Buddhist, the Kabbalist and others on the path usually begin the journey later in life. It is essential to have a solid ego base before trying to negotiate the challenges of the 'Field.' Now that there is so much spiritual technology available to both young and old, as well as mind-altering substances and entheogens which open us up to the Field, we have to be aware and beware. It is important that we have a sturdy base in our lower chakras before venturing beyond.

The other danger of becoming adept is 'spiritual materialism' where the motivation for material gain can creep in. A good rule is to do everything for its own sake and if possible to keep one's lines of supply and survival separate. This may also be why Kabir says;

"Friend there are very few who find the way."

For some renunciation can be karmically neutral when there is little to renunciate.

Humility - Modesty

“This is what God asks of you, only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah

"Don't be so humble, you are not that important." Unknown

We need to first have a level of self-mastery and maybe a little hubris to be able to merit any ability to be humble.

Kabbalah teaches that humility is truthful acknowledgement about the wonders of yourself, taking appropriate credit for your part but recognizing the Infinite One's gifts to you. 

Our task of course is to find and pursue those gifts, be it our core strengths or our true destiny. We are here to cocreate with the Supreme Being by improving His creation and creating well being for all the Four Beings of Nature.

Modesty … has more to do with realizing how small the container is for the overwhelmingly great gift, yet trusting in God's offering and so accepting and using it without pretense.

True humility should make others know God better through you. One ought to marvel at what God can accomplish through you.

There are things that the Creator cannot do without our cooperation. We are here to co-create with the Divine's unlimited Intelligence with our own limited but potentially divinely inspired, imaginative abilities. We should not hide our talents under a bushel. 

God gives the talent but He would not have an Antonio Stradivarius violin without Antonio's hands.” Stradivarius

It is easier to get ourselves and any sense of unworthiness out of the way if we use our gifts on behalf of others. That gift that is given is not about us but given so that we can benefit others. Some might say who am I to think I can do this? Who are you not to...

Just as its presumptuous to put ourselves above others, so it is pretentious to put ourselves below them.

Each of us has a destiny 'cup' to fill. For some its smaller than others and easier. For those with a big one it can be demanding but we are all obliged to fill it.

“Everybody feels inferior in some way or other. And the reason is that we don’t accept that everybody is unique. There is no question of inferiority or superiority. Everybody is just one of his/her kind - comparison does not arise.
The moment you accept yourself as you are, without any comparison, all inferiority, all superiority, disappears. In that total acceptance or yourself you will be free from these complexes - inferiority, superiority. Otherwise you will suffer your whole life....


Just be yourself, that is enough… Osho

"…you are accepted by the sun, you are accepted by the moon, you are accepted by the trees, you are accepted by the ocean, you are accepted by the earth. What more do you want?
You are accepted by this whole universe. Rejoice in it!” Osho

God wants you, to be truly you. You were created for that.

Although Ego is necessary for self-mastery and self-actualization there comes a time when it gets in the way of spiritual growth and Self-Realization. Attachments to Ego's self-Cherishing, Desirous Attachment or Judgment create karmic burdens. Being tied to these will guarantee more wasteful, future lifetimes where we come back again and again to correct the errors of the past instead of going forward. 

Non-Attachment to ego and persona is commendable. 

However, attachment to our spiritual path is essential and will guard against more reincarnations. What is required of us is a path attached to pursuing a life that embraces spiritual principles and helping others. This will bring happiness and inner wealth.