Ego as a type of “subtle thought”

[yuval]

While sitting in meditation, I often manage to let go of my POINT OF VIEW, and merge in the actual experience of the Now much more directly. It feels quite different than to experience reality through the misted window that is the point of view, where the level of representation of reality is noticeably lacking - e.g. doubts are a dominant factor in that experience.

Yoga defines thoughts as ‘anything you are aware of’, be it sensory stimulus, a sensation, a verbal thought or an abstract thought.

I would say that the ego, or the “personality” you wear at a given moment, is merely a [deceptively] subtle type of abstract thought. One that feels like… YOU!

Let me know your thoughts on this )
Yuval


PS a lot of meditation eventually enlightens you - life becomes crystal clear, like in a trip: "the mystical experience". for this you need to do samadhi meditation, which is the deepest yogic meditative state. the easiest technique to get to this state is called SSY ( www.ssy.org ), which is quite recent: developed in 1983. you can accelerate progress in this meditation by meditating in a samadhi tank (e.g. www.floatation.com), and by taking care of your trigger points through a combination of trigger point massage (short-term treatment) and Iyengar yoga as a preventative measure (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...1572243759/qid =1121692001/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-0745606-4033436?v=glance &s=books&n=507846)

[Nicaine]

"All depends on you. It is by your consent that the world exists. Withdraw you belief in its reality and it will dissolve like a dream. Time can bring down mountains; much more you, who are the timeless source of time. For without memory and expectation, there can be no time."

-- Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

I would say that the ego, or the “personality” you wear at a given moment, is merely a [deceptively] subtle type of abstract thought. One that feels like… YOU!

Let me know your thoughts on this )

My abstract/subtle thoughts, or my concrete/gross thoughts?
Edited by: Nicaine

[Solidly-here]

Ego is solid . . . life is abstract.


What is Ego? If it is defined as the outward personality I have, then it must include my Spiritual self (because that provides power through which I have contact with the World). It seems that you are talking about a smaller sub-set of my personality.


I haven't given this much thought before, but my personality contains several parts (here's a couple of them):


(1) The "Rules" I use in each situation. When I am around my Family, I act differently. When I am in a Social situation, I am a different person. When I am at the Doctor's office, I relate differently. This is what I think you are talking about, as Ego.


(2) The lessons I have learned, have propped up my ability to be appropriate. I am kind to people. I listen closely. I see life as a Fun place to be (most of the time). I make mistakes every day; I forgive myself every day.


(3) How my day is going. I have Great days, Good days, and days it might be better to stay in bed all day. If I have just had an exciting time, my personality is Changed (and positively charged). If I just had to listen to Aunt Shreaker for 2 hours, the rest of the day will have a darkness (which I need to transcend in order to be "myself" again).


It is through my Ego that I see the World. It is through my Ego that I act in this World. My Ego is my Anchor; it's my connection to the World I live in.


If an Ego is anything, it is NOT subtle. Ego is my public self. If it were subtle, I would never lose my temper (because nothing would matter enough to get angry about). If it were subtle I would never be jealous.


My deep, Spiritual self is different. It is very subtle. I spend a lot of energy opening myself up to being Spiritual. It is a non-stop process. When I stop actively trying to be Spiritual, I cease to be Spiritual (or, AS spiritual). This World is a powerful force. It holds my attention, like a vise.


This is why I use Psychedelics. During the Trip, I can enter that subtle Spiritual existence. At these times I KNOW what is important. I can see it clearly. When I come "back" I lose most of that clarity. I re-enter my Ego.