Pride and the Spiritual Ego

Category Ego

That ego, tsk tsk, it’s one sneaky little guy.

What roles and characteristics do you identify with? The individual self that we call “you”?

Are you a happy person, a sad person, a confident ego, a doubtful ego, a good self, a bad self, a smart individual, a dumb individual, a worthy being, an unworthy being, a funny ego, a spiritual ego?

What characteristics do you identify with?

Often times we get this idea in our head that one characteristic is somehow inherently more valuable than another such as it’s better to be a celebrity than a blue-collar worker or whatever. Due to various talents or abilities, we may then feel that one person is somehow more superior than another.

This pattern even happens in spirituality. People get this idea that if I’m spiritual, I’m somehow better than those who aren’t. This is nothing more than pride rearing its ugly head.

If there’s one thing people can’t stand, it’s to feel inferior to another and to have people feeling “holier than thou.” If someone says, “I am awesome,” that doesn’t mean that you are not. Since you and I are truly one, you are awesome too!

Yet the mind often gets this idea where if someone says something like, “I am God,” that must automatically mean I am not and they must then be superior to me, even if they explain that we are Gods also. It’s great to acknowledge the awesomeness that exists within us, but adding a sense of superiority is not so hot.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with pride, and it is a higher level than shame, for example, but as the saying goes, “Pride goeth before a fall.” Why? Pride is dependent upon external conditions. Thus the inflated ego is vulnerable to conditions beyond its control and can be knocked off its pedestal into shame.

This even happens to some teachers who become proud of their accomplishments as a personal “me.” They become arrogant and narcisstic, a dangerous place to be.

One thing I really like that Adyashanti does is before his satsangs, he’ll often have people bow to and acknowledge the chairs they’re sitting in to reinforce the understanding that everything in the Universe is just as holy for it is truly all one and the same. Teachers are certainly to be respected, but devotion goes to God. You and I are merely vessesls for consciousness to express itself through. Our bodies and minds are like the musical instruments played by Creation. Creation happens. You and I are witness to Creation.

So while it is wise to take responsibility for our actions, and response-ability is nothing more than the conscious ability to respond to the world as instruments for creation, credit ultimately goes to Creation itself.

Keeping this understanding in mind can help us as we climb the spiritual ladder and lessen the chance for pride to kick in in the form of a spiritual ego. The spiritual ego is just one of the many many flavors of the ego’s dance. It’s something to be aware of and ultimately transcend.

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16 Responses to “Pride and the Spiritual Ego”

The Power To Realise God Through Self Enquiry said:

Pride is difficult to let go. Even though the understanding is there that ultimately we all are just atoms and molecules, part of the same universe.

- Vish Writer

The Power To Realise God Through Self Enquirys last blog post..The Greatest Fool
Anthony said:

A great post Ariel! You should be Proud

Anthonys last blog post..Overwhelmed…
Mike said:

My picking on you brought this about! I take credit for inspiring this post! *pride*

Mikes last blog post..Alan Watts, Existence and Nonexistence
Dusty said:

Do we really have “the conscious ability to respond to the world as instruments for creation” when everything happens spontaneously of it’s own accord?

I’m thinking the root of pride/shame stems from the perception that “I” do this and that. So If “I” does something “good”, “I” feels pride. If “I” does something “bad” it feels shame. At this level of consciousness, where the person feels like they have control, it seems like they can take responsibility… or respond differently.

Now when their is no ego and no volition… the awakened presence isn’t controlling anything. So can they really take responsibility?

I think this confusion stems from looking at reality from two different perspectives, unless my understanding is fubared.

What say you “Ariel”?

BTW, that picture is *HILARIOUS*. I still see myself doing that sometimes.

dragonstar Reply:
October 31st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
This line of thinking is what I was trying to get at the other day.

What about identification with non-identification and ‘transcending the ego’? Things such as that.

Ariel Bravy Reply:
November 1st, 2008 at 2:45 am
Yes there is the conscious ability to respond to the world, but there is no separate individual who responds to something other than itself.

To truly understand this, I suggest you try to realize what the “I” that we keep speaking about actually is. It’s not just a cute thing. There’s a reason behind it.
Dusty said:

What’s the reason?

Ariel Bravy Reply:
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
What do you think it is, Dusty?
Dusty said:

You have said in the past that God divides itself into separate parts so he can entertain himself. It sounds good, but why doesn’t he just abide in infinite, eternal, awareness, love, bliss? Entertaining God sounds ridiculous… entertainment, in my understanding, is for minds that want to distract themselves from the present… or the mind’s self-generated pain.

I have an idea, but I feel like it’s just a mental construct to make myself feel like I know… to feel safer.

The I… the personality… the little i, I think is created so we (God) can experience physical reality. There has to be separate, tangible stuff, or individual “I”s because that is the nature of the physical dimension. Only in the reality of the absolute can everything all be one.

So when are you going to come out to central California so we can have nerdy conversations like we did in LA?

Ariel Bravy Reply:
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Separateness and Oneness are the same thing.
Dusty said:

Oh poo… don’t start with me man!

Blessings
Dusty said:

Is there a written article you have that elaborates on your answer or answers my question? It still doesn’t seem clear to me and I’ve read it like 3 times now.

Ariel Bravy Reply:
November 4th, 2008 at 4:52 am
What is your question, exactly?
Dusty said:

how separateness and oneness are the same thing

Ariel Bravy Reply:
November 4th, 2008 at 5:18 am
It’ll be addressed in tomorrow’s post.

For a preview though, check out today’s latest post.
Dusty said:

Can’t wait.