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Ego: Everything Good’s Outside
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
We’re all familiar with the term ego-maniac. What a perfect description of our ego. It can really be a maniac. It can convince us that everything good is outside ourselves. It can keep us focused on achieving to the point of not being satisfied with being. It can be the biggest obstacle on our path to enlightenment and peace.
The ego is never happy. It always wants more and sends us on this compulsive pursuit of ego gratification or satisfaction from things outside ourselves. Its needs are endless and it always convinces us that it will be happy when we achieve this or buy that. Have you ever achieved something that you always thought would make you tremendously happy like a promotion, a certain level of income or the purchase of your dream house and looked around and thought “is this all there is?” You didn’t feel the level of pleasure you always thought you would when you achieved it. The ego then sends you on another mission to achieve more or buy more or accomplish more.
The problem lies with losing your capacity to enjoy the journey along the way. In your obsessive drive to reach your destination, you forget to “stop and smell the roses”. That’s when you know your ego is driving your life rather than your spirit. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing goals and striving to achieve more and attain more. It is a natural part of life. We are expansion beings and we love to grow, expand, create and accomplish things. It’s only when we lose our happiness and our joy in the quest for happiness outside of ourselves that we are robbed of our ability to enjoy our life along the way.
Carl Jung describes his encounter with a Native American many years ago who was puzzled by the white man’s never-ending drive for more: “They are always seeking something. What are they seeking? They are always uneasy and restless. We don’t know what they want. We think they are mad.”
Does that describe you? Are you always seeking something, uneasy and restless? Are you puzzled about what you even want and what will ultimately make you happy? Do you feel mad sometimes because it never seems to be enough?
Don’t let the ego trick you into thinking happiness is outside of yourself. All of the happiness you need can be found within. Learn to enjoy the journey. There are plenty of celebrity examples which prove that fame, fortune and power do not equate to happiness. Learn to be content and grateful for what you have obtained in life and all of the good things in your life now. Celebrate your successes and find joy in your life today. Silence your ego by finding happiness within and letting who you are and what you have now be good enough.
