WHO ARE YOU?
No one can definitively answer this mind-boggling question. Your experience of reality is an inside job influenced by your ego, while people outside of you have a different perspective of who you are, depending on their egos’ evaluation!
The ego often carries negative connotations, yet it is highly misunderstood. Like all things soulful and psychological, the ego exists on a continuum between light and dark, healthy and unhealthy.
On one end of the continuum, you have an inflated ego; on the other, you have an inflated ego—with a healthy ego in the middle. People who are more empathetic and have low self-esteem tend to be on the inflated end. On the other hand, narcissistic, self-centred individuals are on the inflated end. Both groups work through insecurities to reach a healthy, sacred, neutral state in the middle.
Coming into alignment to have a healthy ego consists of multiple components, including self-image (how you see yourself), self-esteem (how you feel about yourself), and the ideal self (how you wish to be). Understanding the different aspects of self-perception and how they influence behaviour, emotions, and overall mental well-being. It’s about achieving balance and harmony within yourself, often by addressing inner conflicts and realigning your actions with your core beliefs and values. Ultimately, it is about accessing inner peace and a sense of purpose.
FRAGILE & INFLATED EGO
When you encounter someone who seems overly confident, self-important, and even a bit arrogant, it’s easy to label them as having a “big ego.” The grand display can be off-putting to anyone who feels insecure, leading to the immediate assumption that their ego is the problem. But is the ego truly the issue?
The ego is a fascinating and often misunderstood aspect of being human. It plays a crucial role in shaping our identity, self-esteem, and how we navigate the world. The ego helps you assert your needs, set boundaries, and interact with others. Its expression varies based on individual experiences and levels of self-awareness.
When someone appears overly self-assured, arrogant, or polarizing, this behaviour often conceals deeper insecurities or unmet needs for validation. Rather than being vulnerable and open about their inadequacies, the ego strives for superiority as a protective facade. Exuding external power, being the showman, or the life of the party reduces their chance of being rejected, hurt, or disapproved of. Even if judged, they might shrug it off with an attitude of “who cares – that’s your problem.”
This is where it can be confusing. Some might say this is a big ego, but it can also be considered an inflated ego relying on a superficial facade and defensive behaviours.
It is this type of bravado that causes people on their spiritual evolution path to assume they must destroy their ego to achieve enlightenment. Sensitive or empathic souls who strive to be kind, humble, and giving often worry about being labelled as “egotistical.” They may struggle to put themselves out there, be seen and heard, and receive their worth. For them, it can be all about giving, pleasing, and serving others – embodying love and light.
While they are aware of ego and intuition, they often resist and push away the ego rather than looking to integrate it. Similar to how they judge the darkness, assume its agenda and push it away, they miss the opportunity for deeper self-awareness and growth by not embracing all parts of themselves.
WHAT IS THE EGO?
The ego is the part of you that relates to your sense of self. It plays a crucial role in shaping your identity and interactions with the world. As the mediator between your inner desires and external reality, the ego helps maintain a sense of self-worth and significance.
The ego is an essential part of the human experience. It operates from the logical and unconscious mind and is influenced by automatic programs, impulses, and societal conditioning. Whenever you identify with “I” or “self,” it’s your ego in action, creating a distinction between who you are and who you are not, thereby defining your individuality.
Realising that the ego and your identity are confined by time and space is thought-provoking. Consider how much your beliefs have changed since childhood (e.g., your beliefs about Santa or the tooth fairy). You still identify with the “I” in the past, even though you are no longer four. Likewise, for the future you, who does not exist yet, your ego will identify with this future self, helping you create your goals while resisting changes to who you are. No wonder this topic can be confusing; it can take you down a rabbit hole of powerful questions, such as:
- How do you know who you are?
- What is your experience of you?
- What is your experience of reality?
- How is your representation of reality different from others?
WHAT IS YOUR SOUL?
As your ego acts like a magnet for your soul to anchor into this human experience, your soul, free from the body, is an expansive, ever-present being of light. The soul is often considered the essence of who you are beyond the physical body and mind. It represents your true, eternal self, encompassing your higher consciousness at a higher frequency. While the ego operates in the material world, focusing on the “I” and the mind, the soul is viewed as an expansive, ever-present being of light that can transcend time, space, and physical reality.
The soul connects you to a more profound sense of existence, embodying qualities like love, compassion, creativity, and intuition. It’s the part of you that can experience deep spiritual insights and connections with others and the universe.