
From the day we are born we are cloaked in this make-belief, egotistical perception of what’s important. Big ego, it seems, is necessary to achieve dreams and worldly success. But is it?
According to Buddhism, the ego is the erroneous conception of the ‘self’ as an entity that exists by itself.
Ego measures the success and failure of our lives. Ego feeds our greed, it tells us we must be better, richer, more powerful – it is an endless stream of subconscious whisper, always ending in dissatisfaction and disappointment.
These last many years, and still now, I think of myself as a humble person. Many years ago, I proudly announced that I left my ego behind when I departed my entertainment job in Hollywood, but every so often a little glitch of my ego-self still appears. A small sting when not being recognized when I feel I deserve it, a slight ouch when I’m spoken to in a manner that I find condescending. Just small examples, but what’s left of my ego rears its ugly head on occasions, showing me that more work needs to be done.
In contrast, humility, is a word so very misunderstood. Humility is not weakness, it is strength. Real strength.
I’ve researched and learned that Humility translates into “grounded and from the earth”. What a wonderful character trait. We must be humble in our dealings with the Universe, grounded in understanding, and we must embrace the earth with love.
At this stage in my life, I’m mostly detached from things. Yes, I like my nice house, my car, the ability to purchase what I want, but I could lose it all and recreate without emotional attachment. I’ve detached from the want of having more and more, there is no more need for more, no feeling of lack. It is peaceful.
What is really important in this life, at least in my view? We must focus on our spiritual unfoldment and our all-inclusive attitude. We are vessels of this God-Consciousness, here to fulfill a purpose. We are pieces of the cosmic puzzle. Our true purpose of upward progress, when achieved, will free us from this self-inflicted, karmic bondage of the ego and suffering.
I remind myself often: life is good - that's the bottom line. If I doubt this Truth at any time, I must remember that it is up to me to bring this Goodness into existence.
It’s time to heal the wounds of grievance and ego perception. It’s time to grow spiritually. It’s time to acknowledge the one-ness of all people, not divisiveness and hatred. It’s time to Love.
ULRIKE