|
|
 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Shredder
USA
34 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 08:43:32 AM
|
EGO..... Haven't seen much here on ego work, or ego discussions. Reading though the threads it is obvious there is plenty of it to talk about. I recently commented on how some people here, post, and communicate really well and never seem to say "I" or "me" very much. (I am not one of those)
Perhaps some of those who have worked on and overcome their 900 lb gorilla could help me and others with theirs.....shredder |
Edited by - AYPforum on Jan 27 2009 07:34:36 AM |
|
|
Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 09:01:07 AM
|
What do you think your ego is Shredder? How do you define ego? (other than a 900lb gorilla ) |
 |
|
|
Goddessinside
158 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 11:59:38 AM
|
If only EGO was a 900lb gorilla... at least, I would simply stop feeding him with tons of bananas everyday! And that would definitely destroy him! 
No, EGO must be something else...(!) |
|
|
|
emc
2072 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 12:16:17 PM
|
| There's nothing wrong in saying "I" or "me". It's necessary to have something that points at this body-mind vehicle when we communicate! Yogani wrote a very nice post once (can't find it now) when I had asked about this sense of "me" during the journey. He said the "I" will always be there, it's just expanding to include more and more sort of... |
|
|
|
Shredder
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 1:00:48 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
What do you think your ego is Shredder? How do you define ego? (other than a 900lb gorilla)
An inflated sense of self worth not necessarily based on reality, that the conscious projects outward or inward I guess. When I read something and it's all I, I, I. I think "wow, now there's a monster ego" I realize just saying I only conveys what you are thinking or what you want to express. But I think it also goes amuck, and that's what I'm talking about. I'm not blaming anyone I'm as guilty as anyone, and I suspect quieting the mind is the key, and I'm looking for a little guidance here. I've found if something bothers me it is because it reminds me of my own shortfalls. I've noticed some posters here can and do express their ideas and seem almost ego-less, I'm impressed and I'm wondering how they got to be that way....shredder |
|
|
|
Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 3:54:49 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shredder
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
What do you think your ego is Shredder? How do you define ego? (other than a 900lb gorilla)
An inflated sense of self worth not necessarily based on reality, that the conscious projects outward or inward I guess. When I read something and it's all I, I, I. I think "wow, now there's a monster ego" I realize just saying I only conveys what you are thinking or what you want to express. But I think it also goes amuck, and that's what I'm talking about. I'm not blaming anyone I'm as guilty as anyone, and I suspect quieting the mind is the key, and I'm looking for a little guidance here. I've found if something bothers me it is because it reminds me of my own shortfalls. I've noticed some posters here can and do express their ideas and seem almost ego-less, I'm impressed and I'm wondering how they got to be that way....shredder
Shredder, the first thing to do is not let your mind/ego decide on what an egoless state should look like. You will be chasing that image for a long time then. Trying to get the your mind with your mind is not the answer.. and you know that already "I suspect quieting the mind is the key". Yes meditation is the key. It gives you access to a vast silence that is beyond the mind.
Do you practice self inquiry Shredder? Self Inquiry is a great tool to see through the ego. You may like to get Yogani's Self Inquiry book or try "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie.
Samyama is another great tool. Once you get the hang of it.. you can take any question/action you have and let it go in silence.. not looking for an answer, but knowing your silence will give you the right answer, not necessarily in the form your mind thinks it should be, but in the form that is right for that moment.
Your post here shows you are ready for self inquiry. If you can see this "I think "wow, now there's a monster ego" I realize just saying I only conveys what you are thinking or what you want to express" and "I've found if something bothers me it is because it reminds me of my own shortfalls.".. it's more than many can identify.
"I've found if something bothers me it is because it reminds me of my own shortfalls."
How would you feel if you didn't have that thought/feeling?
Can you turn it around Shredder? Can you see that it is not a shortfall, but a tool for learning?
These topics may be of some help:
Self-Inquiry -- A Practice Between our Meditations
In the sky of your mind you are the sun. |
|
|
|
Shredder
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 25 2009 : 9:51:12 PM
|
Thanks Shanti, your posts seem to resonate with me, you seem to know what I'm thinking.
I am only on step 59. So far I'm self pacing and letting my practice flow without a ridged time table, but I also seem to be at a step or two ahead of what step I'm practicing for some reason, is that normal? I have yet to read about self inquiry or samyama. I do plan to get the books, but I'm afraid if I get them now, I'll skip ahead.
As far as turning around shortfalls into a tool for learning, yes of course, my whole life (good, bad and so so)is a tool for learning, I can't fathom anything else. See something, try to understand it, move on, keep on truckin. But I still see monster ego as a thing to be overcome or at least turned into a small monkey rather than a gorilla.......shredder |
Edited by - Shredder on Jan 26 2009 07:49:30 AM |
|
|
|
Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2009 : 08:22:40 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shredder
but I also seem to be at a step or two ahead of what step I'm practicing for some reason, is that normal?
Not sure what you mean by a step or two ahead.
quote:
Originally posted by Shredder
I have yet to read about self inquiry or samyama. I do plan to get the books, but I'm afraid if I get them now, I'll skip ahead.
Samyama and Self Inquiry can be added to your practice if you have experienced some silence in meditation.. they are the two practices that can be added out of sequence that they appear in, in the lessons. The prerequisite for both are that you have been, and still are, practicing meditation for a bit and/or have some inner silence for the practices to be effective. If you don't meet up with the prerequisite.. it wont really hurt you in any way, it will just not be as effective. Both these practices can be clunky and mindy to being with, but with practice and keeping up with meditation as inner silence grows, you will feel the two practices changing to take on a life of their own. They will then be guided by your silence and not by your mind. There is never a final state to reach with any of these practices.. because if you ever feel like.. ahh this is it.. it's not.. it will change.. it's a constant letting go.. letting go.. letting go. Now letting go is concept that seems like impossible to do when you being.. how do you surrender? How do you let go? I have talked about a technique here. It's from the Vigyana Bhairava Tantra and can be practiced during the day. It's just simply, the min you realize you are thinking.. stop... don't give a logical end to the though.. just stop.
quote:
Originally posted by Shanti
I have been following a technique similar to what Andrew has described here and here, and thought I'd share it.
It is something that Nithyananda talks about :
Contemplate Beyond Perception
As you go about your day.. and you realize you are caught up in thoughts.. drop the thought.. meaning stop thinking the thought. Like Nithyanada says don't give a logical end to the thought.. just drop the thought.. then the next thought comes up.. drop, then next.. drop, and so on.. then your mind will fix on the dropping.. then drop the dropping. It's like the technique of "neti neti".. "not this not that".. It is really amazing. 
The sutra is (I enjoyed both Nithyanada's way of explaining it in the video above and Osho's way [you can read it if you click on the sutra below]):
86. SUPPOSE YOU CONTEMPLATE SOMETHING, BEYOND PERCEPTION, BEYOND GRASPING, BEYOND NOT BEING - YOU.
Now this was hard for me to get at first. Like Osho says:
quote:
It is impossible (to contemplate beyond perception), but that's why it is worth doing, because in the very effort something will happen to you. Not that you will become capable of perceiving - if you try to perceive something that cannot be perceived, all perceptions will be lost.
But my mind could not think of what to perceive.. what was beyond the perception... so I started off with Nithyananda's technique of dropping everyday thoughts. And some more.. and some more..
One self inquiry technique that helped may of us at here is called "The Work" by Byron Katie (The book is "Loving What Is - by Byron Katie). She has a simple technique of asking four questions and turning the situation around. It is very effective for beginners and later as your continue with meditation, it becomes a part of your every day life.
You can get the books and read them.. and if you don't feel like it's time yet to add these practices in, you can wait. Do get the Self Inquiry book tho (and "Loving What Is" if you can), I think you will really benefit from it. |
Edited by - Shanti on Jan 26 2009 08:24:19 AM |
|
|
|
Shredder
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2009 : 10:22:00 AM
|
[quote]Originally posted by Shanti
Not sure what you mean by a step or two ahead.
[quote
Before I started AYP, something was stirring in me and I went back and reread Autobiography of a Yogi, after reading that I felt very peaceful and reread another SRF book. But for some reason I did not feel it was right for me to go back to go back to SRF. Almost like I was waiting for AYP. During this time I had several people tell me how calm and quiet I seemed. This was before any DM, I even tried meditation and it felt really weird and I stopped. I don't even remember how I found AYP. Find it I did though and it made sense, and I felt comfortable enough to try it. I seemed to get immediate benefits from DM, and without reading further started pranayama on my own, I thought it could have been some long forgotten SRF coming back. Soon I was focusing on the third eye, and felt something stirring in my root. I found I could sort of control it by flexing my sphincter muscle, before I read about the practice here. And now this self inquiry stuff comes up. So it seems like my practice is ahead of my reading steps, so that's what I'm wondering, is this just normal progression....shredder |
|
|
|
CarsonZi
Canada
3189 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2009 : 10:34:09 AM
|
Hi Shredder,
Don't have much to say other then I have recently been reading "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie and I can personally attest to the power of "The Work"...If you feel your mind is a 900lb gorilla that you can't shake off your back, then I second Shanti's suggestion and say you should pick up this book. Katie's method is a very powerful and well worth trying. Good luck my brother.
Love,
Carson |
|
|
|
Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Jan 26 2009 : 2:12:27 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shredder
And now this self inquiry stuff comes up. So it seems like my practice is ahead of my reading steps, so that's what I'm wondering, is this just normal progression....shredder
Yes.. it is your inner guru guiding you.
Everyone gets guided by their inner silence, not many can catch it.. you are blessed to be able to listen to your inner guru. As they say.. you will know, what you need to know, when you need to know it.
Wish you all the best Shredder. |
|
|
|
AYPforum
351 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 07:34:36 AM
|
| Moderator note: Topic moved for better placement |
|
|
|
david_obsidian
USA
2602 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 09:27:16 AM
|
Shredder,
welcome to the forum.
I would split 'problemmatic ego' into two components, one cognitive, the other emotional:
The cognitive aspect: An inflated sense of self worth not necessarily based on reality
The emotional/relational aspect: An emotional/motivational system which loves and depends on the inflated sense of self-worth and puts a high premium on defending it. (Hence egotistical aggressiveness, boastfulness, the need to self-aggrandize etc. etc. )
My own thinking is that 'inner silence' can help you with the emotional aspect of problemmatic ego. But it won't help you with the cognitive aspect directly. For that, you need help from life, from the world -- or from other virtues you may have, such as deep willingness to face the truth regardless of what it is.
Some teachings in the yoga tradition may actually exacerbate the cognitive aspect of problemmatic ego, so if you are doing well with your inner silence, you may have to watch out.
|
Edited by - david_obsidian on Jan 27 2009 12:22:18 PM |
|
|
|
Shredder
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Jan 27 2009 : 12:29:33 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by david_obsidian
Shredder,
welcome to the forum.
For that, you need help from life, from the world -- or from other virtues you may have, such as deep willingness to face the truth regardless of what it is.
Some teachings in the yoga tradition may actually exacerbate the cognitive aspect of problemmatic ego, so if you are doing well with your inner silence, you may have to watch out.
Thanks for the welcome David.
"Deep willingness to face the truth" Wow, I did not realise it till your post,but that is where I'm at. I do see monster ego in myself and others, and in myself I'm trying to understand it, as in why it's there, let it go, and move on. Something like if you see a tree down accross the road your traveling, just get out, move it off the road, and continue your drive.
I can see one can get an inflated sense of self once you think you have accomplished something in the practice. My wife likes to say about someone "she's all that and a bag of chips", but really it should not matter to you or the world. It's just where you should be. I do feel proud in the fact people are noticing my projection of calmness. It's not something I'm working on, just a side benefit. Maybe the stillness is oozing out of me, who knows? I get the urge to tell them everything I know and do but so far, I let it go, and just acknowledge it's a sign of progression. I'll keep watching myself......shredder
|
|
|
|
gumpi
United Kingdom
546 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2009 : 09:44:41 AM
|
Hi,
I'm probably the biggest ego on these forums. I constantly refer to myself and it is getting to me now because in the past i used to be the opposite! I hardly ever refered to myself with "i". But i don't think it matters so much any more. It is definitely a sign of a big ego though.
As someone said above, the ego expands with the consciousness but i think egotism diminishes at the same time. Since we all have to communicate somehow we have to use our minds which is on the plane of relativity and duality. It is only when the mind is transcended that words become meaningless and experiences cannot be conveyed.
I wouldn't personally worry much about using the word "i" too much, although when you see it in writing it makes me think that person can't get enough of themselves and it is a put off for me. I think you can practice eliminating that word from your writing and perhaps thought patterns and see if that helps. |
|
|
|
themysticseeker
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2009 : 11:29:39 AM
|
One good way to overcome ego is to say "I am" alot. Just kidding. Actually ego is "I-ness." Meditation is the key to the cessation of "I-ness." Meditation is the habituation of the mind's natural state of silence. Actually, you do overcome "I-ness" with your mind; how else are you going to do it? We have no other tool besides our mind to work with. Your mind is self-quieting; it is your habits and conditioning that raise havoc, like the habit of perpetuating a false "I." Words, concepts, these are the problem.
When you are aware that a thought, feeling or dream arises, your awareness functions to still the activity; then, it subsides. When it subsides, there is silence.
Do this mindfulness practice in short five minute sessions, as many times as times as possible, taking short breaks between sessions. Habituate your experience to the state where "I" doesn't come up. |
|
|
|
gumpi
United Kingdom
546 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2009 : 3:15:18 PM
|
| Are you saying that awareness subsides and there is silence? |
|
|
|
themysticseeker
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2009 : 7:45:58 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by gumpi
Are you saying that awareness subsides and there is silence?
No. Awareness doesn't subside. The silence and awareness are synonymous. It is an empty awareness. The thoughts/feelings/dreams subside. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| AYP Public Forum |
© Contributing Authors (opinions and advice belong to the respective authors) |
|
|
|
|
The 900lb gorilla
