What is Ego?
Ego is a person's sense of self-esteem, self-importance, self-respect, self-image or self-confidence. It's the part of mind that usually mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and sense of personal identity. It's the identity of our own construction and an identity that is false, our own personality, talents and abilities. But at the end, the mental construct of our self is artificial.
Each person has a different ego. This ego is unique and hard to be seen. It hides behind opinions that appear true which are attachments to description of our identity. The easy way on how to spot ego is by the trail of emotional reactions it leaves behind. The most deceptive aspects of the ego are that it generates powerful emotional reactions. It then blames us for how it made us feel. Perhaps there is also a victim interpretation of betrayal or injustice underneath.
Characteristics of the Ego
• It gives continuity and consistency to behaviour by providing a personal point of reference. This relates to the events of the past that are retained in memory. Usually actions of the present and of the future are represented in anticipation and imagination.
• The ego maintains the world as an illusion- the ego doesn't allow you to see the world in awe and wonderment. It keeps us isolated and separated, biased and judgemental, for that reason the ego is said to be an illusion.
• The ego has never been satisfied- when the ego gets what it thinks, it wants more. Such as a person can have big house, expensive vehicles, fine clothes, money and can never be satisfied.
The ego is also elusive- this when you think, you have gotten rid of the ego, it will reappear as something else, another thought, another concept, or another bias. The ego will do everything in its power to remain alive and well.
Tomorrow we will look into "*What is Attitude*"
