The word ego can have different meanings for different people. Here, and in most spiritual teachings, ego means identification with form - any form - a thought form, emotional form or physical form. This is where the human dysfunction lies, and most of our pain arises.
This identification with form gives rise to a false identity, a false sense of self. It is often referred to (particularly in buddhism) as the illusory self. It is a mental construct that you identify with. To identify with something means that you believe it is who you are.
This false sense of self is also referred to as the egoic self, and often is called "the ego".
Who you are then becomes conceptual. The term "I" then becomes a concept. You believe that form makes up who you are - your thoughts, emotions, name, body, possessions etc. are all invested with a sense of self, a sense of "I".
You then have a voice in your head that does not stop talking, judging, commenting on everything that happens, did happen or might happen. Life becomes completely conceptual, and you believe that the "voice in the head" (or sometimes "voices") is who you are. "This is me talking" says the voice in the head.
Who you think you are then basically consists of a bundle of mental-emotional thought patterns that have been conditioned by the past, looking to the future for relief of it all.
Full article here... (InnerPeaceNow.com)
So many human beings place their focus on what other people are doing, and what they perceive to be wrong with them. What if, from this day forward, you started focusing on other people’s authentic power, their divinity, their innate capability to handle all things in their lives? It would would be a powerful shift, because you would suddenly be uplifting them and supporting their empowerment and growth, rather than sending the energies of judgment and the insinuation that you think they are not capable.
I’m all about self-love vs. self-discipline. And, if you’re a regular reader you know that I often write about spirituality, happiness, and productivity. These topics are actually different sides of the same coin. Let me explain: Many believe that there are two ways to approach life: “doing & working” or “being guided.” The first school of thought is that in order to get anywhere you must be action-oriented, pursuing goals to live your life’s purpose. The second belief is that everything will happen as it’s meant to and that “trying” is the ego’s roadblock to divine guidance. The truth is that they’re not mutually exclusive. An interest in being productive doesn’t mean you aren’t spiritual.
If your life has taken you to a painful place, the first thing you must begin is to make your own care and self nurturing a priority. Taking care of your own needs first is an act of self love, and it is likely that you are out of balance and have neglected to give yourself the love you need for quite some time. Many of you have been taught that it is not nice to put your wellness first, that it is selfish, and that there is something noble about always putting others above yourself. That single belief system is responsible for the burn out that is so prevalent in so many loving and caring people.
