Ego vs. True Self
by Vincent Cole
There comes a stage in spiritual development when you will experience the
conflict between the fears of the ego and the power of spirit. During this
stage of conflict you will feel as if you are teeter-tottering between the
two. One moment spirituality is in the forefront. The next moment it is the
ego dominating your thoughts and actions. Your True Personality is coming
forth into your consciousness and is a more powerful vibration than the ego.
As your True Self emerges it will challenge how you think, how you see the
world, and how you live your life. As spiritual awareness begins to grow
stronger the ego will begin to diminish. The ego has no power against the
higher vibrations of your True Self, but it will resist. This time of
conflict will be a time of fear and confusion as the ego struggles to
survive.
An ego-based identity seeks only that which strengthens it. All else is seen
as a threat. Therefore, in the beginning, as you take the next step in
evolution, you will feel a conflict, a division within yourself as a new way
of being struggles to emerge. This is an important and beneficial awakening.
Be patient but also be strong.
It will be a great temptation to go back to what is familiar. The ego will
seek that which is known, that which it sees as safe.
Even a painful life is
preferable to the ego than having to face the unknown.
During times of
conflict the ego retreats into the familiarity of old beliefs and routine
actions, while the True Self instinctually moves forward towards new
experiences, new understandings, and a new way of being in the world.
Conflict arises during these periods of transition as you move from the past
into the future, uncertain of the next step.
Realize it is the ego causing the uncertainty, the confusion and conflict.
It struggles against that which it cannot control. This period of conflict
will last only as long as you cling to the old way of being. It is a battle,
to be sure, but the inner struggle is but a birth into a new awareness. You
will face this struggle many times as you reach new levels of awareness and
your True Self radiates its power. There will be conflict each time another
old belief cherished by the ego is to be sacrificed. Do not fear these
conflicts. They are the birth pains of self-transformation.
The trials of conflict will come in stages, as much as you can handle at a
time. It cannot be rushed. Take small steps in the beginning. Be kind to
yourself during these times of emotional turmoil. Take time to rest and take
the time to sit quietly. Take time to call on those spiritual forces that
aid you in this struggle. You do not go through this alone.
Peace will come to you again, but the lesson is not over.
Once the initial
distress of conflict subsides there is an attempt to compromise. This is a
time when the ego will try to take what spiritual knowledge you have gained
and make it its own. It will take the new knowledge and apply it to the old
way of being. To illustrate: rather than exchanging an old shirt for a new
one, the ego will take the sparkling clean shirt and place it over the old
tattered one. You cannot take the knowledge you are gaining, the new
insights and the joy you are feeling and layer it over the ego. It will only
be an illusion.
Outside the appearance is spiritual, the words spoken sound spiritual; even
the show of psychic ability seems evidence of having become a spiritual
being. Beneath the surface, however, the ambitions, the fears, the quest for
personal power still remain. The ego maintains control.
Be aware of this
within yourself. Be aware of such compromises in others; those who seek to
appear special in the world, those who use their spiritual knowledge to gain
personal power, to accumulate material wealth, to attract attention and
adulation, those who see all "rewards" as proof of divine favor. Such
individuals often form the more dogmatic, exclusive forms of organized
religion where "they teach as doctrine the precepts of men."
This is not to be judged, but seen as an essential step in evolution. It is
a valuable experience. Since the vibrations of spiritual consciousness and
egotistical thought patterns are different and incompatible, inevitably an
even greater conflict results and the individual will be forced to choose a
new direction. Conflict has its value.
It is during the mental confusion and emotional turmoil that the differences
between the True Personality and the ego become obvious. Become aware of the
conflict. Understand the dynamics of personal growth.
Know that as the ego
begins to weaken it will struggle to gain prominence. Anger and fear and
depression may increase. Confusion results because the ego cannot understand
what is happening. It is too limited.
As the ego fights to regain its position you will find yourself thinking
only of yourself, attempting to glorify your achievements of newfound
knowledge that you are only beginning to glimpse. This is a trick of the
ego.
This is an attempt by the ego to take what is universal and make it
personal. During this time you must be your most disciplined and ever
vigilant.
Do not judge yourself, but simply be aware and learn. Take time to question
the ego's influence on your spiritual life. Some thoughts may be quite
subtle, convincing you that what you want is of a spiritual nature, whereas,
it appeals more to the ego than to the heart. Simply remember the criteria
of the ego. Remember its need for self-preservation, its concerns with
physical well-being, and its hunger for personal power.
If your thoughts are
centered on fear and worry and self-defense, know it is of the ego. If you
wish to glorify yourself to the world, it is of the ego. Because you are still a child you may not recognize the ego at work.
Therefore, carefully take small steps. The beginning of spiritual awareness
may seem wobbly. You may be unsure which foot to put forward. You may easily
fall. But if you are sincere in your desire for spiritual growth there will
be someone to catch you. You will again have the opportunity to stand and
walk.
Allow yourself times of conflict. They are growing pains. Allow yourself to
fail at times. You will learn from the experience. On this path of evolution
be willing to stumble and fall. Be willing to again stand up and walk. A
child is willing to crawl before learning to walk. A child does not give up
should he or she fall. The child continues to learn as helping hands support
the attempt. Soon the child learns to run. So it is with spiritual
evolution.
And, as you stand and take the next step forward, be aware of outside
distractions. Old situations, old attitudes, and even old friends will rise
up to lead you astray. You are taking a new path, but the old way is still
visible, still strong and demanding. Do not judge it. Instead, understand it
for what it is, nothing more than the past pulling at you. Find the strength
to walk in a new direction. Be willing to stand alone for a moment, and then
ask the forces of God to help you take the next step.
Periods of conflict do not last long, but they are a crucial time in your
development. If you seek to avoid conflict by being lazy, if you are
satisfied with your present self, if you think there is nothing left to
learn, then you are a child content to crawl, never knowing the joy of
running.
Dear child, keep in mind this is only the beginning. Be mindful that there
is much more to life and do not settle for less. A great deal awaits you but
first this bridge of conflict must be crossed. Ignore the raging waters
beneath it. Become deaf to the voices calling behind you, calling you to
return.
Dear child of great strength, do not allow your legs to collapse beneath
you, but continue to cross the bridge of conflict regardless of the
difficulties. Continue to keep your mind and vision on the other side
awaiting you. This will help. This will offer encouragement.
As you cross the bridge you will see and feel your spiritual power. This
will encourage you to face the conflict and endure the turmoil. Tell
yourself at this time you will not turn back. Tell yourself that you will
not leave the road because something glitters off to the side. It is only a
distraction appealing to the ego. Tell yourself that as you move into a new
consciousness, as you move into a new way of being, God is with you. You are
not alone. You have never been alone.
What you seek is far greater than anything you have ever known. There is
nothing in the past that can possibly describe where you are going. No past
experience will explain the new person you will soon discover within
yourself. You are learning. Keep that in mind as you stumble and fall; you are
learning. Keep in mind when you are tempted and become distracted that you
are learning. Give yourself the gift of compassion. Give yourself a sense of
grace. Remind yourself you have chosen this way and you have the power to
accomplish it. During times of conflict and confusion you will find a
strength you did not know you had; strength you kept hidden, strength
unknown by the world around you. Ask for this strength and it will rise up
within you.
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This article is excerpted from the book "The Next Step in Evolution", ©2000,
by Vincent Cole. Reprinted with permission of the author. Published by
Writers Club Press, an imprint of iUniverse.com, Inc.
http://www.iuniverse.com/ About the Author:
Vincent Cole is a wandering monk who has been facilitating prayer and
meditation groups, as well as Women Healing Circles for the past 15 years
throughout the United States. While on a personal year long retreat in the
desert outside Tucson, AZ, Brother Vincent took a collection of channeled
messages given to a small prayer group many years ago, and edited them into
the book "The Next Step in Evolution -- a personal guide."
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