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InnerStillness
<3 U


Registered: 03/06/06
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Ego as an action
#7642581 - 11/16/07 12:28 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I have been thinking about the concept of ego and mechanics of egoic thought and behaviour. I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that the ego isn't this separate thing that exist somewhere and keeps me in a state separate from experiencing divine truth. The more I become aware the more I'm seeing ego as more of an action that happens when desires, behaviors and modes of being arise and I identify with them, as them.
This identification causes me to act in a structured manner not unlike a computer program, instead of simply performing whichever action is appropriate. When this structured action is taking place in my mind I am aware of what needs to be done, but I am also aware that by acting in this structured way there is something lost. What I find to be lost is the simplistic joy that arises when full attention is given to the present action and its performed, without anything else. By staying focused on the action at hand it is as if each action arises from within the situation and is coordinated with precision. This way of seeing and performing actions as they arise without anything other than the intent to perform what is at hand, seems to only happen while one is totally open to the situation and in fact merged into oneness with it. This for me is the whole reason and goal of existence, this remaining at one with whatever arises, and by doing so, see clearly what is necessary.
Once one has been this mode of existence all things which are not it seem to be separate, this is essence of the egoic mechanism. If one has achieved such a state then one always knows when he is separate from it, for the absolute knowing that accompanies such a beingness is unforgettable. This leads me to think that ego is instead not an entity that exist somewhere keeping me separate from divinity but, an act of identifying with something in the situation instead of simply being aware of it. This act of becoming identified with some particular immediately separates "whole awareness" into, being focused on the particular thing and awareness of the situation up till the point of identification. This particular thing could be a cookie (cookies will do that!), a promotion at work, anger arising, strategies for control over the situation, anything, the important thing here is that there was a division of focus, from nonjudgmentally remaining aware of the whole situation as it is, to being focused on something which arose in the situation. This is the basic process of the egoic mind, identifying and attachment to things which arise and then wanting specific outcomes of the situation. The concept of the ego being this little self and my true self to being separate from it and the two battling over which one was going to get its way, seems to make little sense to me, even though I believed it for while. I thank a few posters from here for helping me to come to understand that there is only one self, not two distinct entities fighting to get there way.
Anyways maybe someone has some insights to add or comments, I more or less just typed out my thoughts and figured hey why not throw them up on a post to see what other may think about it. =] Peace
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redgreenvines
irregular verb


Registered: 04/08/04
Posts: 37,532
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We all pretty much understand the programming part of it, conditioning and personal history. but what makes it ego rather than simple reflexes and natural reaction contexts is a kind of self-involvement this self-involvment takes a part of the stream of consciousness and whips it up and smears it into a kind of solidity, like whipped cream. that stiffened smear of experiencing relating to part of where we have been is the ego. if it aint stiff it aint ego. it is an insubstantial thing but it provides continuity, and we can't really go anywhere without it.
the amount of self involvement, however, is variable, and we can generally do with less whipping up of froth about our selves.
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Rahz
Alive Again


Registered: 11/10/05
Posts: 9,230
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That's basically, exactly what my definition of ego has become.
It's a phantom. An illusion. Snagged on a thought, or series of thoughts. That's why it's so hard to define. The actual substance of it can change from moment to moment. Route it out, and it will become something else. It always has the same character, which is a false sense of self, but phantoms are hard to see.
I think the concept of ego being a separate identity can be a useful frame, as long as it's kept in context. It's a tool, something to be useful when used, and put down... otherwise it becomes the next incarnation of ego.
-------------------- rahz comfort pleasure power love truth awareness peace "You’re not looking close enough if you can only see yourself in people who look like you." —Ayishat Akanbi
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Ego as an action [Re: Rahz]
#7644706 - 11/16/07 03:34 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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For me the ego is mostly a result of cultural programming. Our beliefs about ourself and the world are programmed into the bio computer and from then on we are almost totally identified with that program. Until something shakes us up.
-------------------- "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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Rahz
Alive Again


Registered: 11/10/05
Posts: 9,230
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Re: Ego as an action [Re: Icelander]
#7644740 - 11/16/07 03:48 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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Well, I agree in way, but this can create an "us and them" scenario.
IOW, cultural programming didn't create ego, ego created cultural programming. Is laying the blame on culture a "deference" to ego? Just another way to pass the buck?
-------------------- rahz comfort pleasure power love truth awareness peace "You’re not looking close enough if you can only see yourself in people who look like you." —Ayishat Akanbi
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Ego as an action [Re: Rahz]
#7644759 - 11/16/07 03:53 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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When I look at my ego programs and then look at my parents, schools and country I can make the connection. I'm guessing I was born a clean slate pretty much. Now I was destined to have and ego but how healthy or skillful that ego is at making my life worthwhile to me is dependent on factors that were out of my control when I was a baby and youngster. To reprogram the bio-computer is very difficult later in life. Many here use psychedelics as tools in the attempt. It can be done up to a point.
-------------------- "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
Edited by Icelander (11/16/07 03:54 PM)
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Rahz
Alive Again


Registered: 11/10/05
Posts: 9,230
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Re: Ego as an action [Re: Icelander]
#7644778 - 11/16/07 03:59 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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>>>>I'm guessing I was born a clean slate pretty much. Now I was destined to have and ego but how healthy or skillful that ego is at making my life worthwhile to me is dependent on factors that were out of my control when I was a baby and youngster. To reprogram the bio-computer is very difficult later in life. Many here use psychedelics as tools in the attempt. It can be done up to a point.
Absolutely. The question is, who made who? How did the first cultural programming come about? Was it instigated by the devil? Or did we do it?
-------------------- rahz comfort pleasure power love truth awareness peace "You’re not looking close enough if you can only see yourself in people who look like you." —Ayishat Akanbi
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: Ego as an action [Re: Rahz]
#7644789 - 11/16/07 04:04 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I would guess it was us, most likely based on survival issues.
-------------------- "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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Rahz
Alive Again


Registered: 11/10/05
Posts: 9,230
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Re: Ego as an action [Re: Icelander]
#7645168 - 11/16/07 05:47 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
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I think we are born innocent, and somehow, I think we always stay that way. Sinning doesn't make one a sinner. I think the difference between your line of reasoning and mine is that in mine, we may not even know a choice will be "bad" until after it is made. Even if there was nothing "wrong" to observe, we would find a way to make something wrong.
One definition of "original sin" is the First sin. This was Adam's bad, and it begot other sins, and spiraled into what we have today.
Another definition of original sin is the sin of being born. In other words, each of us IS Adam.
The truth is that it's both IMO. The sins of culture may seem much bigger than our own. This is because culture is made of many people and we are only one. We all have the capacity to exercise original sin. Failure to take responsibility results in additional sins, some of which may also be original sins. 
We are both innocent, and guilty, though one of those truths is a higher truth than the other.
-------------------- rahz comfort pleasure power love truth awareness peace "You’re not looking close enough if you can only see yourself in people who look like you." —Ayishat Akanbi
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MarkostheGnostic
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Registered: 12/09/99
Posts: 14,279
Loc: South Florida
Last seen: 3 years, 2 days
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Have you read Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now and A New Earth? I'd bet that you'd enjoy them as much as I have. My Lady is sitting here reading the latter book as I type.
-------------------- γνῶθι σαὐτόν - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself
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