[Jambjanatan]

I found this quote today.

The Tibetan teacher, Chogyam Trungpa, warned of the trap of spiritual materialism. He says we must be ever diligent to spot the egos use of the spiritual journey to further its own ends.

We may think its spiritual to yearn for divine connection. And yet, if the longing is to fill an emptiness inside, just how does this differ from the one who yearns for money or possessions to fill the inner void? Do we look to our spiritual practices as proof of our evolved consciousness or as protection against fears?

Any time we use spiritual disciplines to maintain our identity and security, we are not yet on the path of genuine spiritual development.

"Enlightenment is egos ultimate disappointment."

-- Chgyam Trungpa Any thoughts on this? How do we keep our ego from getting in the way???

[Nopayof]

I do it by allowing myself to grow spiritually in the same manner that I grow physically. With time and experience, instead of 'growth hormones'.

[uC4F0NVL]

I try not to call myself anything. It doesn't feel right in my mouth or my heart to say I'm this or that. At the moment I only go on spiritual journies for advice, help or maybe to just have fun (still a child in body and spirit) but found no other reason to do so.

Perhaps the best way to avoid a spiritual ego is to not act better than others through your experience. I mean, that is part of an ego trip. Always remember that no matter how much you know there's always someone who knows more. That even masters are students.

But maybe the best way to avoid a spiritual ego, is to stop the longing for more. Knowledge is good, but perhaps it is best to not try to learn everything. The more you know, the more confident you are, the greater your chances of developing an ego. I'm sorry, starting to ramble.

[tipokot]

Let go my ego! Hehehe.

I think that ego and spirituality are two opposing concepts. Ego allows us to define ourself as an individual entity whereas spirituality allows us to become one (undifferentiated)with all else.

Yes, I suppose that if one were to seek spirituality for the purpose of becoming a better person than we were before then the journey is naught but an ego trip.

I personally try to maintain harmony (yeah, I know, balance) between my ego and my spirituality. I am, afterall, at this point in time an individual identifiable thing that I call JimBob. I must take care of JimBob. My ego helps me do that. But, when I get to the point that I think that I am any better than any other creation in the universe then I have gone astray.

My ego deals with physical reality, my spirituality deals with my inner essence.

Peace & Love!

[natahololll]

I agree with Chogyam Trungpa.

Connie you ask "How do we keep our ego from getting in the way???"

The Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh has Buddha saying, "A person in the path must keep a humble, open heart, acknowledging that his understanding is incomplete." This is found in the book "OLE PATH WHITE CLOUDS" by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Another suggestion also comes from the Buddhist world:

"Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right thing to help you learn perfect patience, perferct wisdom, perfect compassion."
(From "Buddha's Little Instruction Books" compiled by Jack Kornfield.)

Hermano Luis

[xyznicks]

The best way I know is to have compassion. Mother Theresa is an excellent example.

The ego wants. Compassion serves.

[Gaxiciverfere]

"Imagine that every person in the world is enlightened but you. They are all your teachers, each doing just the right thing to help you learn perfect patience, perferct wisdom, perfect compassion."
(From "Buddha's Little Instruction Books" compiled by Jack Kornfield.)

Yes, things are as they should be.

The best way I know is to have compassion. Mother Theresa is an excellent example.

The ego wants. Compassion serves.

Excellent answers, everybody.
Fred, I think I like yours the best.

[DF9sLGSU]

~ Well, you could give up the ego completely & just die.
Or you could realise that the ego is here to learn what it couldn't without physicality.
Every breath a moment that needs realiziation & actualization at this very moment
& every thought, action, sensation, being vital to the creation of a totality unimaginable...
Just a thought!
I do babble y'know.

[HottBrorb]

Ego.... I feel holds many meanings,confidence in self,vanity,arrogance,manipulation of sorts.


The only association I would attempt to make between ego and spirituality would be confidence in ones path but not egoistical enough to know one needs to follow ones heart/path.

Not sure one can really separate the two (ego is part of the self) as in anything balance.


Ego can also be seen a long the lines as personal gain,how does that fit into the equation?

Personal gain in spiritual growth or could it be considered personal gain to feel superior?

[myspacepro]

Well...what's Ego?...LOL

I do it by continuously being aware of what I am doing. By paying attention to what I am doing. Examining what is at the core of what I do now. By Doing what I am doing. By questioning..by doubting...by keeping my mind open and not falling into definitions or fixed belief systems.

I like the idea of viewing others as enlightened. It eliminates the immediate judgement to whether what they do is evil or good. It creates a humility that enables me to watch and watch only. It enables me not to get trapped in violent thought (and this isn't limited to hitting or verbal or whatever..it covers the whol gamut..) it cultivates a feeling that seems to be called compassion by some but that's another loaded word with a million definitions.

Ego is still there, thoughts are still there, feelings, all things associated with George are still there..they just aren't in charge most of the time. My True Self doesn't seem to have the George in it at all. But I am still a guy in this dualistic world.

I found this quote today.



Any thoughts on this? How do we keep our ego from getting in the way???

[medio]

Amen to George's words!

Peace & Love!

[Vokbeelllicky]

Since the question was raised -- I have failed. One of the reasons that I got ordained was to be called, "Reverend." What is the desire for a title, but ego?

[Podosinovik]

Since the question was raised -- I have failed. One of the reasons that I got ordained was to be called, "Reverend." What is the desire for a title, but ego?

While this may well be true I would suggest that you don't beat yourself up over it.

The title is important in what you do as it gives other people cause to have confidence in you because most others place value in titles.

So you go ahead on Rev. Jon.

[Fuerfsanv]

While this may well be true I would suggest that you don't beat yourself up over it.

The title is important in what you do as it gives other people cause to have confidence in you because most others place value in titles.

So you go ahead on Rev. Jon.

This is by no means the most foolish or egotisticial thing I've done. In the context of this thread, it seemed worth mentioning. There is nothing wrong with a bit of ego, as long as I can see it for what it is -- in myself -- as well as in others.

Of course, I can try to destroy my ego, so much more completly, than anybody else.

[Goodwin]

This is by no means the most foolish or egotisticial thing I've done. In the context of this thread, it seemed worth mentioning. There is nothing wrong with a bit of ego, as long as I can see it for what it is -- in myself -- as well as in others.

Of course, I can try to destroy my ego, so much more completly, than anybody else.

Yep. I have this discussion with people who have Buddhist leanings.

I sugest that we need our ego. It allows us to identify ourself and therefore to take care of ourself. Taoism does not teach the destruction of ego. It does, however, teach the lessening of ego just as it teaches lessening our desires.

Thing is, if our ego, that is, our perception of ourself, is true to reality then IMO there is no problem. The problem is when we think we are more, or better, than others.

If we hold ego in check I see no reason why it would cause any blockage in the development of our spiritual nature.

[Garry Richardson]

Yep. I have this discussion with people who have Buddhist leanings.

I sugest that we need our ego. It allows us to identify ourself and therefore to take care of ourself. Taoism does not teach the destruction of ego. It does, however, teach the lessening of ego just as it teaches lessening our desires.

Thing is, if our ego, that is, our perception of ourself, is true to reality then IMO there is no problem. The problem is when we think we are more, or better, than others.

If we hold ego in check I see no reason why it would cause any blockage in the development of our spiritual nature.

All things in balance. I'm not better than everybody else. I'm not less than anybody else, either.

[kubekniekubek]

All things in balance. I'm not better than everybody else. I'm not less than anybody else, either.

If we all could keep this in mind the world would be a much better place for all living things.

[BadbarmrapBef]

All things in balance. I'm not better than everybody else. I'm not less than anybody else, either.

But can one be better than the self?

[JetePlentuara]

But can one be better than the self?

Well, sure. I think nearly all of us could find ways we can be a better person. But to compare ourself against another just isn't fair or realistic.

[fedordzen]

i don't see anything wrong with trying to"copy"those things we admire about another person.

for example,i have some friends who i admire for their paitence,and in some cases wisdom.