Recognize more than one kind of ego
Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:25AM
Liara Covert in Consciousness

I met an equestrian who believes every human being is, by nature, selfish.   She believes humans are motivated by what makes them feel good, or what they sense is good, even if they are consciously unaware of intentions.  Are you convinced all selfishness is the same?

Let's say a person can experience wise selfishness, free of narrow-mindedness.  A person can also shape an acceptable form of selfishness that is not complete altruism.  Is your selfishness informed or more irrational? Do you view loving yourself and others as bad?

If you believe two kinds of ego exist, then you may also believe one is preferable.  One kind of ego relates to a higher idea of yourself, as in arrogance, destructive selfishness, vanity or, the illusion of superiority.  Magnified self-interest invites problems. 

Another kind of ego is a sense of self you create to boost your esteem, to persuade yourself you have courage and the ability to realize dreams.  You might view this is a positive side to ego, the kind that teaches you self-confidence and taking responsibility.

To assume that all selfishness is the same would be to overlook different levels of awareness.  If you lose a sense of ego entirely, then you would feel discouraged, you would reject rather than move toward unconditional love and self-acceptance.

Some people would even say the motive to survive can be viewed as selfish.  Desires can be perceived as positive or negative.  When you desire to acquire or experience something, you decide what is justified, what is positive or negative.  Excessive selfishness leads to uncontrolled indulgences and perversions that do not serve you. 

Article originally appeared on Inspirational Quotes, books & articles to empower you (https://blog.dreambuilders.com.au/).
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