By Jimmy Henderson (Hons (phil), MA Psychology, FRC)
We all have an 'authentic self' which embodies that most moral and ethical part of ourselves. Unfortunately, after many years of feeding basic instincts and accepting flawed social learning (conditioning), the innocence of the ‘authentic self’ is
usually reduced to the ‘ego’, a false sense of self which is little more than a collection of
highly personal drives, thoughts, perceptions and beliefs.
In view of its
self-centeredness, the ego has only a limited awareness and understanding,
and this can account for the many errors that creep into human thinking and actions
as the result of ego-based perceptions and decision-making. The ego results in the average human mind being filled with unhelpful emotions, negative thoughts, memories and desires which all form a
natural barrier to the expansion of awareness or consciousness.
In my previous book, ‘Multi-Dimensional
Perception’ (2010), I explained this 'blocking’ process in terms of the analogy
of a goldfish in a bowl, in which the water in the bowl represented the human mind
and one’s present understanding, and the world outside of the bowl, reality. I
continued by explaining how the water in the bowl is murky as the result of our
jumbled-up thoughts and perceptions, painful memories and emotions, limiting
beliefs and fears which so clog up our minds that we have only a dim view of
what is actually out there and cannot see things as they really are. I also
pointed out that the saddest
thought of all was that we have become
so conditioned and accustomed to living in this ‘bowl’ of limiting beliefs, thoughts
and perceptions, that it is difficult to even conceive of a larger universe out
here.
This action of the ego and the process of social conditioning can therefore limit one’s imagination,
ability to dream and to realize one's authentic self.
Transcending
the ego
Trying to overcome the ego a little bit at a
time by learning from our mistakes and their consequences, could take us an
entire lifetime. However, this is the normal course of events, and if one looks
carefully at the problems in our day-to-day lives, they often seem to follow a
specific pattern or trend.
For example, the same bitter experiences with relationships or finances can arise time and time again until we are forced into
a process of self-evaluation and the need to make better and more mature choices.
In this way, even everyday life can be seen to be directed at growth and development and the eventual release of
the limitiations, selfishness and pettiness which relate to the ego.
However, a release can also happen quite
suddenly during a life-changing experience (usually involving extreme
humiliation or loss of identity), sometimes called the ‘dark night of the
soul’. This could come in the form of the ending of a marriage, a long-term
relationship or career or some other equally traumatic experience. Those times
when we feel totally shattered, empty and alone and we are virtually forced to
let go of our old sense of self or ego.
Sometimes we can get lost in the intensity
of the experience, and struggle for many years to recover. However, if we are
able to recognise it for what it is, an opportunity to transcend the ego, we
can shorten the period of suffering. Obviously, it is still important to take
time to fully process the thoughts and feelings relating to this experience and
for a while we will be certainly be mentally, emotionally and spiritually
vulnerable and naked. However, when we eventually stand up again, our slate
will be clean and ready for new experiences in consciousness.
The third possibility for transcending the
ego is a conscious process of self-development and growth such as this path of
light and consciousness, in which we bring about the dismantling of the ego at
its source, in the mental programs and ideas which feed and sustain it . This particular process involves challenging our
present ego-experiences with powerful new insights relating to our identity and
life’s purpose and formulating positive affirmations and intentions which help
to change our existing view of self.
Jimmy Henderson is a well-known metaphysician, counsellor and
author of two books on body, mind and spirit titled ‘Multi-Dimensional
Thinking’ and ‘Multi-Dimensional Perception’ available at Amazon.com,
Kalahari.com or from his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com.
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