What is "The Ego" and "True self"

Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
Ok so, since the 21th century is all about showing off that we're the coolest person in the world on social media, people keep writing books and blogs about new lifestyles allowing us to "let go of our ego" and "be our true self" in order to be happier (books and blogs which, by the way, often end up being more about the author talking about themself).

I like to evolve. So, seeing how much "ink" is spent trying to explain to us the secret recipe of letting go of Ego and finding the path to happiness and wisdom, I'm trying to figure out what it means (it's a rainy morning).

But from what I'm reading (example: Letting Go Of Ego |), it basically just means, stop caring about being the best of best, stop thinking you're right all the time, stop thinking everything is about you, and well, reach for your dreams and have courage. Which seems very basic knowledge, so I'm guessing there is something I didn't get.

Another website here gives a definition of the Ego that makes more sense to me (Let go of the ego), but there is still this weird aspect of "true self" which is described as the person you would be without the influence of society and what you think it's expecting of you. Excuse me but who and where is this "true self" that is uninfluenced by society, since we were born and grew up inside of it?

Anyone have an opinion?
 
Kiwong

Kiwong

Well-known member
If ego means self-esteem. There are only a few things in my life that I have confidence in, and give me a sense of self worth. So I wouldn't want to let go of my ego in those areas of self belief.

I think the true self belongs in the more creative and spiritual connections to the earth and nature, not in the material pursuit of happiness of wealth and status.
 
grapevine

grapevine

Well-known member
I try to let go of the ego by treasuring my values more. There is parts of your identity that are held with your ego and they are just there, well to me anyway.

But knowing my identity for what I value and believe - whats at the heart of me, and living that way- showing that in my identity is more important to me I think.

The practice of letting go of the ego is I reckon like building a muscle and that there are always going to be challenges to it. Thats why having your values form your identity can help struture out the ego stuff a little.

Pema Chodron has good videos on Youtube about the Ego.
 
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Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
Kiwong said:
If ego means self-esteem. There are only a few things in my life that I have confidence in, and give me a sense of self worth. So I wouldn't want to let go of my ego in those areas of self belief.

I think the true self belongs in the more creative and spiritual connections to the earth and nature, not in the material pursuit of happiness of wealth and status.
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Yeah I'm suspecting maybe this whole thing about the ego is more about all these selfie-obsessed beings who feels like if no one is looking at them, they are nothing.

About what you say on the true self, I think it could make sense. Imagine yourself without your belongings, without your job, even without your friends and without your family, sitting alone in the middle of nowhere, and think about what you are now :thinking:

grapevine said:
I try to let go of the ego by treasuring my values more. There is parts of your identity that are held with your ego and they are just there, well to me anyway.

But knowing my identity for what I value and believe - whats at the heart of me, and living that way- showing that in my identity is more important to me I think.

The practice of letting go of the ego is I reckon like building a muscle and that there are always going to be challenges to it. Thats why having your values form your identity can help struture out the ego stuff a little.

Pema Chodron has good videos on Youtube about the Ego.
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Yup, I'm still confused :D Never heard of this woman but she seems interesting, I'll have to take some time and watch a couple of her videos, thanks :)
 
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H

Hot_Tamale

Well-known member
Pacific_Loner said:
Another website here gives a definition of the Ego that makes more sense to me (Let go of the ego), but there is still this weird aspect of "true self" which is described as the person you would be without the influence of society and what you think it's expecting of you. Excuse me but who and where is this "true self" that is uninfluenced by society, since we were born and grew up inside of it?
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Let's see...back when I was a child I got into a lot of trouble with my parents and teachers at school. I said a lot of bad words, didn't listen to teachers, made others laugh, and went so far as to forge my mother's signature on a permission slip one day. Maybe that's my "true self" that you talk about because I find it so much easier to get in trouble as an adult now then to stay out of trouble even when I'm not trying to get in trouble in the first place!! Maybe I'm wrong and my "true self" is really the person with severe social anxiety and intermittent depression that doesn't like taking risks.
 
Miserum

Miserum

Well-known member
Pacific_Loner said:
Ok so, since the 21th century is all about showing off that we're the coolest person in the world on social media, people keep writing books and blogs about new lifestyles allowing us to "let go of our ego" and "be our true self" in order to be happier (books and blogs which, by the way, often end up being more about the author talking about themself).

I like to evolve. So, seeing how much "ink" is spent trying to explain to us the secret recipe of letting go of Ego and finding the path to happiness and wisdom, I'm trying to figure out what it means (it's a rainy morning).

But from what I'm reading (example: Letting Go Of Ego |), it basically just means, stop caring about being the best of best, stop thinking you're right all the time, stop thinking everything is about you, and well, reach for your dreams and have courage. Which seems very basic knowledge, so I'm guessing there is something I didn't get.

Another website here gives a definition of the Ego that makes more sense to me (Let go of the ego), but there is still this weird aspect of "true self" which is described as the person you would be without the influence of society and what you think it's expecting of you. Excuse me but who and where is this "true self" that is uninfluenced by society, since we were born and grew up inside of it?

Anyone have an opinion?
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I feel that one of the greatest paths to wisdom is through the writings of classic and modern philosophers. They are quite literally the thoughts of some of the greatest minds ever to have existed, translated and written down. It's likely that whatever thoughts we've had about human nature, have been asked and addressed in-depth by one or more of these philosophers, including those issues involving the ego.

One book I spent some time on in a class I took in college is called Alienation by Rahel Jaeggi. It's all about human "essence" or a "true form" that makes us who we are, if such a thing even exists, and if we feel alienated from aspects of this proposed concept, how we can reconcile those feelings.

It's been a while since I read Alienation, but that's the gist of it, and may be something worth reading if you're interested in existentialism.
 
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theslowesthand

theslowesthand

Banned
"One theory is that psilocybin interrupts the circuitry of self-absorbed thinking that is so pronounced in depressed people, making way for a mystical experience of selfless unity."
 
Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
MollyBeGood said:
Want to experience an Ego Death?.. which everyone should at least once in their lives-try hallucinogenics, like mushrooms. Shrooms will set you straight. Guaranteed.

Now there's real proof they help cure depression.

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/01/...silocybin-cancer-anxiety-depression.html?_r=0

Thank you, Mother Earth.
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Hah, yeah... But isn't it just like any entertainment? I mean mushrooms make you hallucinate, of course it takes your mind off yourself, it's like watching an excellent movie or a mind-blowing landscape isn't it?
 
MollyBeGood

MollyBeGood

Well-known member
Pacific_Loner said:
Hah, yeah... But isn't it just like any entertainment? I mean mushrooms make you hallucinate, of course it takes your mind off yourself, it's like watching an excellent movie or a mind-blowing landscape isn't it?
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DMT naturally occurs in our brains. That to me is a definite clue we are on to something scientifically, which when you take hallucinogenics you have to do it with some intention of discovery imo.

Oh wow just seeing this-Perfect! :perfect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3VF7fIyRtg

Culture is NOT your friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-tY6hmKcms
 
Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
MollyBeGood said:
DMT naturally occurs in our brains. That to me is a definite clue we are on to something scientifically, which when you take hallucinogenics you have to do it with some intention of discovery imo.
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If we were sitting in a café somewhere, I feel like we could have a very interesting conversation about all of this, but I'm not sure what is the moderators tolerance for a debate about hallucinogenics here :p
 
theslowesthand

theslowesthand

Banned
I've read that hallucinogenics actually hinder spiritual growth. All they do is distort the mind. Ask Roger Waters.
 
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Miserum

Miserum

Well-known member
All right! Terence McKenna! Have you guys heard of his Stoned Ape Theory? In it, he postulates a reality in which ancient primates consumed shrooms left in animal dung, and that the resulting trips eventually gave rise to human consciousness. There's not much evidence to support it, but it's supppperrr interesting to think about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUTgPOUdcLE
 
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Pacific_Loner

Pacific_Loner

Pirate from the North Pole
theslowesthand said:
I've read that hallucinogenics actually hinder spiritual growth. All they do is distort the mind. Ask Roger Waters.
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This is also my opinion that hallucinogenics give nothing more than hallucinations and possibly artistic inspiration. It's an interesting topic to discuss with people with other point of view though, since there is all kind of crazy theories
 
Miserum

Miserum

Well-known member
Pacific_Loner said:
This is also my opinion that hallucinogenics give nothing more than hallucinations and possibly artistic inspiration. It's an interesting topic to discuss with people with other point of view though, since there is all kind of crazy theories
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I really only have prolonged experience with marijuana and alcohol, but I believe drugs, specifically psychedelics, have something to offer outside of mere entertainment.

Though I haven't smoked marijuana(a hallucinogen) in a while, I've used it before as an introspective tool and without a doubt I always seem to come to conclusions that I wouldn't have if I were sober. The experience can be eye opening if you pay attention to your thoughts. I can imagine that stronger substances would yield even stronger insights.

There's also tons of anecdotal evidence that suggest psychedelics can yield positive benefits for individuals.

There are even studies that show doing shrooms changes your personality for the better: Want to Feel Younger, More Open? 'Magic Mushrooms' Trigger Lasting Personality Change | TIME.com

Another hallucinogen, LSD, has been shown to permanently reduce anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients.
LSD Can Permanently Reduce Anxiety in Cancer Patients

And most recently, a study done showed that psychedelics induced the diversification of signaling in the brain; in other words, it showed an expanded consciousness under the influence.
Psychedelic drugs found to induce higher level of consciousness - study

All of this scientific evidence, on top of all of the anecdotal evidence and my own personal experience leads me to believe that doing drugs is probably good for us, if done safely and in moderation of course.
 
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