There are two forms of ego: one says: I am better than… and the other says: I am not as good as…
So, what is it to be without ego? It is to hold a vision of equality, without comparing, accepting differences and enjoying them.
With Ego:
Judging/comparing others and the self
Asks: how are others wanting me to be here (if I am to be liked) or is trying to ‘fix’ others
Feels that I am right and that you are wrong
Even if someone is being genuinely nice, is suspicious
Affected by praise and defamation
Without Ego:
Accepts others as they are and so is also able to accept the self
Is free to be themselves and to allow others to be their selves
Feels calm and stable inside
Has self-esteem, that inner sense of self-worth and feeling that I have a right to be here in the world. Knows that deep down under all the things that I don’t like about me/you that we are all peaceful, loving, beautiful and intrinsically good
Is here to give and not concerned with attaining praise but serving
An experiment for when you are going to meet someone who pushes your buttons!
Just before meeting this person pretend that you are actually just about to take part in a game. There are two players: yourself and X. In this game it is X’s job to push your buttons and yours not to let this happen. The trick: see both yourself and X as intrinsically good spiritual beings coming into this game to play your respective parts. X gets a point every time you loose your cool and you get a point every time you retain it.
