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ShroomPuncher
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Destroying The Ego
#18782008 - 08/31/13 04:49 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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This forum seems most appropriate for this conversation and it's a topic that I think should be discussed more often, especially with the younger audience.
For this discussion, here's a couple definitions of ego:
-the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world -the āIā or self of any person; a person as thinking, feeling, and willing, and distinguishing itself from the selves of others and from objects of its thought.
To me, ego is what we THINK we are. The image we, family, society, etc., mold for ourselves. It's our self-image that, oftentimes, we spend too much time trying to convince ourselves or others of.
As a martial artist, I've learned that while sometimes (very rarely) helpful, the ego is what brings you down. Thinking you're better instead of trying to truly become greater. It's what we strive to break from. To not label oneself and rather, just be.
Most of the fights I've gotten to weren't because I had to physically defend myself, but because I had to defend my ego; my false self. Watch almost any street fight or physical confrontation and tell me that egos aren't involved.
Anyways, after my little ramble, how have you separated yourself from your ego? Or what are you doing to destroy it? Or do you just not give a damn?
With me, my ego and lack of self-control have gotten me in quite a bit of trouble. Trying to be content with myself is often difficult. I find it hard to apply for jobs or even be slightly social because of a fear of rejection, which I believe to partially stem from my ego (caring too much what people think of me).
Please, share your insight and journeys as to how you have defeated, coped with, or otherwise managed your ego(s). And please list alternative methods other than
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brokentv

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I'm interested in this myself. I dont have much to add but this video I found is pretty interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCUUeVBFnyQ
Edited by brokentv (08/31/13 04:57 PM)
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Icelander
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The ego is either inflated and unskillful or balanced and helpful/skillful. To destroy it is to destroy the self completely imo.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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ShroomPuncher
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: brokentv]
#18782062 - 08/31/13 05:03 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said: The ego is either inflated and unskillful or balanced and helpful/skillful. To destroy it is to destroy the self completely imo.
Interesting point of view and a good point. I think destroying the ego can often mean destroying one's 'self', or what we think we are. But then, we can start to find who we truly are and live naturally. But this is just my opinion and all others are welcome. 
Quote:
brokentv said: I'm interested in this myself. I dont have much to add but this video I found is pretty interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCUUeVBFnyQ
Nice share, man!
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lessismore
Registered: 02/10/13
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: brokentv]
#18782071 - 08/31/13 05:06 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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No doubt, no worries, no frustration, no fear , only acceptance and appreciation in the moment :-)
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Icelander
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But then, we can start to find who we truly are and live naturally.
I don't think that would be possible. Our ego or sense of self is what allows us to maneuver in a material reality. We would quickly become prey and then extinct without the sense of self. The ego is perfectly natural.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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ShroomPuncher
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: Icelander]
#18782181 - 08/31/13 05:39 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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But then, we can start to find who we truly are and live naturally.
I don't think that would be possible. Our ego or sense of self is what allows us to maneuver in a material reality. We would quickly become prey and then extinct without the sense of self. The ego is perfectly natural.
True, a sense of self would be necessary but I think we have different definitions. A false sense of one's self (ego) rarely has any positive benefits. It can be a motivating force but more often than not, it can motivate in a negative manner and be self-destructive.
Besides, all other species on Earth get along fine without a conscious thought of themselves. When a hyena runs from a lion or vice-versa, that's a result of instinctive nature. I don't think they go back to their den with thoughts of defeat, revenge, failure, or any other negative thoughts that arise from egos. Whereas as a human, getting 'punked out' by a bully, for example, is so dramatic because it's our ego telling us to saddle up, man up, and fight back. It's a sense of defeat that our ego instills in us.
Many people have motives for revenge, getting bigger, better, more intimidating when dealing with predators of any sort. When, in reality, the logical thing to do unless you're truly in danger would be to walk away. But to most, pride-damaging and near impossible to do.
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Sse
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-------------------- "Springs of water welling from the fire" "Life may seem to flee in a moment, but when the mind is freed of the veil of ignorance, and illusion that comes between the mind and the truth, life and death are only opposite sides of the same coin - "water welling from the fire."
"Within us, we carry the world of no-birth and no-death. But we never touch it, because we live only with our notions." -Thich Nhat Hanh instant "Experience always goes beyond ideas"
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Yogi1
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I've chased ego destruction/ overcoming the ego for over 3 years of psychedelic use and meditation, philosophy, etc...
I will tell you I have learned what amounts to simply one overall philosophy. It is simply "The ego is a necessary vehicle for a productive and useful self"
Unless youre going to be a monk in tibet then destroy the ego, if you want to do anything productive with yourself then simply learn to balance and observe the ego.
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Icelander
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Quote:
ShroomPuncher said: But then, we can start to find who we truly are and live naturally.
I don't think that would be possible. Our ego or sense of self is what allows us to maneuver in a material reality. We would quickly become prey and then extinct without the sense of self. The ego is perfectly natural.
True, a sense of self would be necessary but I think we have different definitions. A false sense of one's self (ego) rarely has any positive benefits. It can be a motivating force but more often than not, it can motivate in a negative manner and be self-destructive.
Besides, all other species on Earth get along fine without a conscious thought of themselves. When a hyena runs from a lion or vice-versa, that's a result of instinctive nature. I don't think they go back to their den with thoughts of defeat, revenge, failure, or any other negative thoughts that arise from egos. Whereas as a human, getting 'punked out' by a bully, for example, is so dramatic because it's our ego telling us to saddle up, man up, and fight back. It's a sense of defeat that our ego instills in us.
Many people have motives for revenge, getting bigger, better, more intimidating when dealing with predators of any sort. When, in reality, the logical thing to do unless you're truly in danger would be to walk away. But to most, pride-damaging and near impossible to do.
You're choosing to look at an unbalanced ego structure and say that's what the ego is. That's far from reality imo.
So you really think your life would be great if you were totally instinctive? Well then you can give up most of the positive things that self awareness brings with it also.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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ShroomPuncher
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: Icelander]
#18782449 - 08/31/13 06:53 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said:
Quote:
ShroomPuncher said: But then, we can start to find who we truly are and live naturally.
I don't think that would be possible. Our ego or sense of self is what allows us to maneuver in a material reality. We would quickly become prey and then extinct without the sense of self. The ego is perfectly natural.
True, a sense of self would be necessary but I think we have different definitions. A false sense of one's self (ego) rarely has any positive benefits. It can be a motivating force but more often than not, it can motivate in a negative manner and be self-destructive.
Besides, all other species on Earth get along fine without a conscious thought of themselves. When a hyena runs from a lion or vice-versa, that's a result of instinctive nature. I don't think they go back to their den with thoughts of defeat, revenge, failure, or any other negative thoughts that arise from egos. Whereas as a human, getting 'punked out' by a bully, for example, is so dramatic because it's our ego telling us to saddle up, man up, and fight back. It's a sense of defeat that our ego instills in us.
Many people have motives for revenge, getting bigger, better, more intimidating when dealing with predators of any sort. When, in reality, the logical thing to do unless you're truly in danger would be to walk away. But to most, pride-damaging and near impossible to do.
You're choosing to look at an unbalanced ego structure and say that's what the ego is. That's far from reality imo.
So you really think your life would be great if you were totally instinctive? Well then you can give up most of the positive things that self awareness brings with it also.
Not at all. I used instincts as a comparison. You can still have a loss of ego and be YOU. You're still capable of happiness, thought, and all that good shit. Just because you lose your ego doesn't mean you lose conscious thought or what it takes to be 'normal'. If anything, a loss of ego, even just a minor reduction, can significantly reduce negative thoughts. You don't have this self-image of who you are so you don't have to constantly prove to yourself and others things that aren't necessary.
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Icelander
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That's not realistic imo. I have a pretty balanced self image much of the time and that allows me to be pretty realistic and live my life as I choose as much as possible. I take the good with the bad. Again you're seeing the ego as a total negative which it is not.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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ShroomPuncher
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: Icelander]
#18782656 - 08/31/13 07:40 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said: That's not realistic imo. I have a pretty balanced self image much of the time and that allows me to be pretty realistic and live my life as I choose as much as possible. I take the good with the bad. Again you're seeing the ego as a total negative which it is not.
In my opinion, it is though. It's what we think we are; not what we actually are. It's an image we have created for ourselves. Now if you're completely realistic, confident, and in control, then it rarely creates a problem but for many people, the ego serves no good purpose. You can be you and be confident and happy without an ego.
I just don't see how anything good can come out of a perceived image of oneself. But that's my opinion and in my personal experience, an ego is never good but if you can manage, then more power to ya! Interesting conversation so far though.
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Icelander
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Like I stated earlier. The ego helps us navigate material reality and replaces total reliance on instinct. The evolution of the neo-cortex made that survival trait available to us and has allowed us to be the dominant animal on the planet.
I have yet to see a human without an ego. Some rare ones are nicely balanced and seem unobtrusive which they are. But it is still an ego structure as far as I know.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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ShroomPuncher
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: Icelander]
#18782728 - 08/31/13 07:54 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said: Like I stated earlier. The ego helps us navigate material reality and replaces total reliance on instinct. The evolution of the neo-cortex made that survival trait available to us and has allowed us to be the dominant animal on the planet.
I have yet to see a human without an ego. Some rare ones are nicely balanced and seem unobtrusive which they are. But it is still an ego structure as far as I know.
I've met quite a few people who don't have egos as in the way I've defined it. They don't think of what, who, how they are. They just are. They don't mind backing down or taking unorthodox approaches. Don't judge, very present, and very capable human beings.
It just depends on the individual, I guess.
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Icelander
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Well I think you aren't observing them closely enough but whatever.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
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Yogi1
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: Icelander]
#18782739 - 08/31/13 07:57 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Icelander said: Like I stated earlier. The ego helps us navigate material reality and replaces total reliance on instinct. The evolution of the neo-cortex made that survival trait available to us and has allowed us to be the dominant animal on the planet.
I have yet to see a human without an ego. Some rare ones are nicely balanced and seem unobtrusive which they are. But it is still an ego structure as far as I know.
^^^ truth broski. An egoless human might exist, but certainly not in this culture.
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Yogi1
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Quote:
ShroomPuncher said:
Quote:
Icelander said: Like I stated earlier. The ego helps us navigate material reality and replaces total reliance on instinct. The evolution of the neo-cortex made that survival trait available to us and has allowed us to be the dominant animal on the planet.
I have yet to see a human without an ego. Some rare ones are nicely balanced and seem unobtrusive which they are. But it is still an ego structure as far as I know.
I've met quite a few people who don't have egos as in the way I've defined it. They don't think of what, who, how they are. They just are. They don't mind backing down or taking unorthodox approaches. Don't judge, very present, and very capable human beings.
It just depends on the individual, I guess.
Defined by the self or the arrogance? Awfully hard to be a being without an individualistic self.
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ShroomPuncher
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Re: Destroying The Ego [Re: Yogi1]
#18782772 - 08/31/13 08:04 PM (10 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
Yogi1 said:
Quote:
ShroomPuncher said:
Quote:
Icelander said: Like I stated earlier. The ego helps us navigate material reality and replaces total reliance on instinct. The evolution of the neo-cortex made that survival trait available to us and has allowed us to be the dominant animal on the planet.
I have yet to see a human without an ego. Some rare ones are nicely balanced and seem unobtrusive which they are. But it is still an ego structure as far as I know.
I've met quite a few people who don't have egos as in the way I've defined it. They don't think of what, who, how they are. They just are. They don't mind backing down or taking unorthodox approaches. Don't judge, very present, and very capable human beings.
It just depends on the individual, I guess.
Defined by the self or the arrogance? Awfully hard to be a being without an individualistic self.
An absolute lack of arrogance.
Maybe my definition of ego is off. You can be individualistic and be yourself. You can have a sense of self, but it's the false sense of one's self, which many obtain through different ways, which I consider an ego.
It's what you THINK you are, not what you actually are. For example, bullys thinking they're hardasses. Obviously, they're not. A false sense of one's self. I appreciate the observations! I should've been more clear at the start.
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Yogi1
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Quote:
ShroomPuncher said:
Quote:
Yogi1 said:
Quote:
ShroomPuncher said:
Quote:
Icelander said: Like I stated earlier. The ego helps us navigate material reality and replaces total reliance on instinct. The evolution of the neo-cortex made that survival trait available to us and has allowed us to be the dominant animal on the planet.
I have yet to see a human without an ego. Some rare ones are nicely balanced and seem unobtrusive which they are. But it is still an ego structure as far as I know.
I've met quite a few people who don't have egos as in the way I've defined it. They don't think of what, who, how they are. They just are. They don't mind backing down or taking unorthodox approaches. Don't judge, very present, and very capable human beings.
It just depends on the individual, I guess.
Defined by the self or the arrogance? Awfully hard to be a being without an individualistic self.
An absolute lack of arrogance.
Maybe my definition of ego is off. You can be individualistic and be yourself. You can have a sense of self, but it's the false sense of one's self, which many obtain through different ways, which I consider an ego.
It's what you THINK you are, not what you actually are. For example, bullys thinking they're hardasses. Obviously, they're not. A false sense of one's self. I appreciate the observations! I should've been more clear at the start.
Curiosity, how would you know what you are? Or not think you are something?
A really interesting subject to me.
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