Ego

Ego is the self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves, and I would include God. All of our problems entered this world as soon as we took on an ego and told ourselves that we were seperate from God and that we are our posessions, others people's opinions, and what we do for a living. This idea that we carry around with ourselves about who we are has been around since the beginning of time.

The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."

When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate.
Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on"—saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves. Genesis 3:4-7

We think that we can solve everything in our lives by making sure everyone is happy with us, gaining enough money or possessions, and have a career that is fulfilling. Think about it, we all have said something like - "If I could just win the lottery," "If only I could make them like me or if my spouse would just....," or "If only I could find another job." If we could just find these things we would be happy, or at least this is what we tell ourselves. However this is the source of all of our problems. We try to do things in our own power and strength, for our own good not thinking of others. This is the complete opposite of the way that Jesus came to show us how to live. We are exposed as people who are not very good problem solvers and we attempt to "cover" ourselves from God. The reality is that we have to get back to being fully exposed before God. We must go back to the time when we were completely connected and did not question what God was doing and we just accepted things as they were and are. In this place there is no concept of problems in our mind. This is the practice of our faith. To allow God, Jesus, to redeem all of us - the whole person so that we are completely connected to God. It is the "working out of our salvation" and the process of sanctification to be set apart and holy.

Set aside your ego today. Allow someone else to have the advantage. Have the mind of Christ that we celebrated all weekend and watch fear leave and ego die.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Namaste'