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)

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.

You simply cannot draw the love and support you seek if you do not accept and give those same energies to yourself. It cannot be done, because you cannot create abundance from lack. Loving yourself is essential as an aspect of unity consciousness. We urge you to stop putting yourselves last, to stop your negative self talk. You are a vital, beloved, and honoured part of the planet! You cannot have the joy of experiencing that truth until you start to give the same wonderful, tender care, love, understanding and support you so generously share with others, to yourself. By doing so you will shine and thrive, and have so much more to offer others, from that solid, balanced place of love, support and nurturing you have created for yourself. ~Archangel Gabriel

http://trinityesoterics.com/2014/04/17/daily-message-thursday-april-17-2014/

A new Johns Hopkins study discovers an association between prenatal exposure to antidepressant medications, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and developmental delays (DD) in boys.

Researchers from the Bloomberg School of Public Health found that early prenatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — commonly prescribed for depression, anxiety, and other disorders — increased the risk for ASD three-fold.

Common SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Full article: http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/04/16/1st-trimester-antidepressant-use-tied-to-autism-risk/68613.html

Psychedelics have the potential to treat cancers, addiction and psychological traumas.

Here are some of the coolest things scientists have discovered about psychedelics over the years.

1. LSD can mitigate end-of-life anxiety.

The results of the first clinical study of the therapeutic use of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) in humans in more than 40 years were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease in March. They show that LSD can promote statistically significant reductions in anxiety for people coming to terms with their own impending demise.

Swiss psychiatrist Peter Gasser and his colleagues conducted the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, sponsored by the non-profit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). They tracked 12 people who were near the end of life as they attended LSD-assisted psychotherapy sessions. In his report, Gasser concluded that the study subjects’ anxiety "went down and stayed down."

Read the rest of the article... (alternet.org)

God said:

Everything in life is for your good. You are gaining from life. What you call trouble as well as good fortune is furthering you. When you experience upheaval, consider it like living in your house while it is being remodeled. It’s not easy, yet it’s worth it when it’s done.
 
You have a great Designer. A great Interior Designer. Naturally, you would like to be in on the design more. You would like to be consulted with. You want to know that you are noticed and heard and that your thoughts are taken to heart. I take you to heart, beloveds, more than I take your thoughts to heart. Do you see the difference? I definitely consider you.
 
This does not mean I cater to you, beloveds. I must consider more than your preferences. It has to be this way. Really, you do understand that you cannot take the reins of the Universe entirely even when it comes to your own development. For one thing, you would most likely keep changing your mind or, on the other hand, you might not budge. This is an entire house remodel We are talking about, not only choosing a paint color, yet, even that, could be a big decision for you to make. As sure as you may be that you want a room a certain color, when it is up you might not like it.
 
If We are going to get the job done and done right, We cannot consult on every decision. You do understand that you are focused on a close-up of Infinity, a short span of Infinity, as it were, while My vision goes beyond borders and covers a far range that outdistances you.