Destroying the Ego (or embracing the ego)

Embracing the reality of loving oneness, the needs of the ego-based self become less important. Were we not connected, it would be natural to be self-centered, to think first and foremost of our own separate and disconnected needs. Selfishness is natural in the perception of separateness, but selflessness is natural in the reality of Oneness, in the living the way of Love.

The ego is the home of the perception of separateness, the home of the instinctual needs, the home of the illusions of this realm. When we learn of love – regardless of the variety of love; for a spouse, for a friend, for a child, for a parent – we learn that there are others outside of ourselves who have needs and desires as well. We accept that the needs of others actually matter. Here is where the ego starts to lose its power; here is where the ego begins to fight back.

The contention in our souls, the battle between ego and truth, tends to be reflected in the world we perceive, in the people who cross our paths. But the world, as we see it with our senses and the resultant thoughts, is but illusion. The more we accept this knowledge, that the truth is not what we see, hear, feel, or even think, the better we are able to push these illusions aside and seek and know the truth, that the world is love.

What appears solid in the world – the world we perceive with our limited senses and thoughts – is mostly empty; there is much more space between the atoms than there are atoms. And the atoms themselves are largely empty. This clearly proves that the world is not as it seems at the level of our senses and the beliefs we hold based on those senses. We must endeavor with courage and faith to know, beyond what we think we can "see" that God Is All Of It. And God is pure love. Thus, in the here and now, at a deep level of awareness, this world we share is pure Love.

We must love ourselves and others when we or they cling to the illusion that is our apparent existence, never being divisive or contentious. When disharmony arrives (whether in a thought or in another person), forgiveness allows us to see them for what they are – unloving – and with kindness, in faith, gently set them either aside or aright. Forgiveness, in the presence of a strong faith and knowing that the world is love and perfection, allows this.

We needn't cling to the hope for the future as we can live in peace when we dwell in the utter beauty of here and now. When we choose to see love, we see love, though not all the time at first, as the ego still has control of much of our minds and of many of our thoughts. But with vigilance, in faith, and with the help of the Power that is the essence of the Universe, we can know the truth of this very moment, and cleave to its real meaning and purpose.

The ego attempts to remove us from the perfection of the here and now by introducing the memories of past missteps, harms, shame, and grief, as well as the belief that we ought dwell in the future, whether a hopeful future or a fearful one. All these thoughts, presented to our minds' eyes by the fearful ego, serve to weaken our resolve, to rob us of faith, to detract from the knowledge of perfection of this divine instant in Creation.

We live in a world of doubt, confusion, and fear, but this is true only when we see through the creations and reflections of our thoughts of doubt, confusion, and fear. There is a better way. See the world as love and the world is transformed to a world of love. See the world as peace and the world is transformed to a world of peace. This transformation, for most of us, takes time and persistence. This needn't be the case as time is but part of the illusion we hold. Nonetheless, for those of us with less than perfect faith in these truths, time and energy are required in order for us to release the old and embrace and welcome the new and changing world that arises in love.

The more practiced we become and the more we grow our faith in these truths, that we are one and the world is a world of love and peace, the more these new truths may displace the old “truths” of fear, lack, grief, and sadness. It is far easier, and far more effective, to not fight these “negative” feelings and beliefs that spring forth from the ego, but instead to focus on their opposites. Faith is the opposite of fear, love is the opposite of selfishness, contentment is the opposite of arrogance, the truth of Oneness in Love is the opposite of the dark places of bitterness and unforgiveness.

As faith grows, our world improves, not only for each of us individually, but for all the world, as all the world is indeed one, even to those who do not yet realize or accept it to be. Each act of love, whether in the form of charity, compassion, understanding, teaching, leading, or simple giving, contributes to the healing of this world we share. When we all come to this place of love, it will be abundantly clear to all of us that we live in a world of love and peace.

This news does not bode well for the ego, but the time of our egos' control of the world we co-create is ending. We needn't actually destroy the ego – indeed, that would not be loving. We were placed in these human forms by our higher Selves, in perfect Oneness with the Creator. It is much more loving to embrace our egos, to love them, to give them wonderful homes and to recognize that they are an important part of who we are in this human experience.

The key then is to gently set aside all thoughts of the ego which are not in accord with our Higher intents and dreams. We can love and accept our egos yet still not allow their flawed and illusory thoughts and the resultant illusions to remain in control of our lives. Again, this is easiest accomplished in love. To fight the ego only serves to give it the illusion of more strength. To lovingly answer the ego with confidence, speaking our Highest truths, allows the power to shift back to the place it belongs, the place it originated, in perfect oneness with Love.

We say to the ego, for example, “I hear that you are afraid. I love and embrace you and your fears. Nonetheless, these fears you feel and the thoughts you are attempting to convince Me are truth, are not Truth. You are a part of me, and so I love you, but I cannot allow you to be in control. Our real power and control is from Love.”

In this way, the Power of Love gains strength, and the power of ego loses strength. As we practice in this way and weave these new Truths into our lives, both our thoughts and actions become, gradually yet progressively, more loving, accepting, and peaceful.

Each loving thought adds to the love in the world; each peaceful thought adds to the peace. Each person living in this way of love adds to the loving peace of the world.

In time, many will live the way of love, and so, in time, the inevitable and unavoidable result is a world of love and peace. World peace is indeed on the horizon. Embrace it.