The Paradox Of Ego Versus Soul
To reach a level of peace in this world of polarity and duality we have to come to terms with a paradox. Most of us in our current contemporary society live in our heads. Our minds struggle with the idea of paradox. Our ego, with its linear logic, cannot comprehend the illogic of paradox. However, our Hearts have no difficulty accepting the complementary nature of all polarities.
An important paradox contrasts our individuality with our sense of connectedness to All That Is/Source. Our ego desires for us to stand out and be someone special. It craves recognition and attention all the time. This is what it does.
Consequently, many of us find ourselves doing things in this world so we can be known for something. We hope to "leave our mark" as they say ... or our legacy, for the all the world to see sometime before we die.
This can look like having a gifted child, accomplishing a great feat, or even becoming a notorious criminal. Because "ordinary" is so unacceptable to the ego, it seeks to be famous or outstanding in some way ... ANY way. Good or bad.
Ego has a voracious appetite and is never satisfied with what it gets because it's not its nature to be satisfied. Its recognition comes at the expense of others because it seeks to be better than (or even worse than) - anything else ... in order to stand out.
Know that each of us is born into this world (or out of this world as I like to say) as a unique expression of God/Source. Just like snowflakes and finger prints ... no two people are alike.
We each carry skills, talents, and abilities that are our gifts. Yet, most of us were never fully recognized for this inherent uniqueness. We were always compared to others, which is the way of the ego.
We may never have been made to feel appreciated for our pure Beingness and individual beauty. This negativity could've come from our parents, clergy, school, teachers, coaches, spouses, etc.
It was always:
"What have you done for me lately?";
"What makes you so special?";
"What have you accomplished?"
"Why can't you be like Johnny or Mary?"
So, we move through our lives seeking the recognition we never got. And then, if we ever do get it, it is never enough. It becomes like a drug ... an addiction that we must have. The ego will go after it at any cost.
Some people may have accomplished great things and become famous. But if they have been following the direction of their ego, they somehow still feel empty inside. If I only had a nicer car, if only I had a bigger house, if only I had more money ... you know what I'm talking about. These things can never complete you. There is an inherent yearning for something more ... and that is inner peace within your Soul.
This may explain why many successful and famous people commit suicide or turn to drugs/alcohol. They are desperately trying to fill the void inside that is characterized by the ego's insatiable desire to be somebody. As long as the ego is the prime motivator in our lives, we are endlessly caught in the difficult situation of success, and dissatisfaction.
Everyone is special in their own way, and it's just a matter of allowing those gifts to manifest themselves naturally (albeit sometimes through a lot of hard work).
You'll find you no longer need to distinguish yourself from everyone else. You'll come to the knowingness that, like everyone else in this world, you are special already. Not better, not worse.
Only when you accept that we are all equal ... and we are connected to one another ... can our individuality be fully expressed. At the core of our Being we are the same, God/Source. This is the great paradox.
When we accept our sameness with everyone, that there are no things or other, only then can we truly express our uniqueness. Only when we embrace the paradoxical nature of life will we be able to find contentment and peace. The universe is ONE organism. We cannot be parted out or separated.
We must be willing to accept our Being, and in turn accept everyone else. The ego wants us to "DO" things to be accepted. It can never happen. The ego is coming from the premise that we are essentially incomplete. The Truth is that we are already whole ... holy.
Thoughts and actions that stem from the acceptance of our Being are totally different from actions that arise from the doing of our ego. Even though the actions may look identical. One is done in the full Consciousness of Soul and Love of Self. The other is done from a sense of incompleteness, inferiority, and fear of not being enough.
It is our choice. It merely takes a shift in perception from ego to Soul-Centered Awareness. This is reaching within to connect with our Higher Self ... the Divine Inside. Let Spirit lead, and ego follow. You'll be amazed at the changes that will take place.
Just a thought ...
~Justin Taylor, ORDM., OCP., DM.
My thanks to Soul Online
