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Why must one master one's ego?
The term 'ego' is used in Eastern spirituality, for example in Buddhism. In this context, it refers to the 'self above all,' or more precisely, the self as the center of concerns—egocentrism—as opposed to seeking to merge into the greater whole by aligning one's will with what reason dictates.
Here, we propose a definition of the ego that highlights three human instincts that harm our ability to live in harmony with others:
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First, the ego consists of social ambition, that is, the desire to be above others in terms of social rank. This meaning is found in the popular expression 'to have a big ego.'
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Second, the ego consists of the refusal to submit to constraints, that is, limiting one's pleasure to avoid harming others. This aspect relates to the notion of omnipotence. Frustration is an indispensable component of all civilized social life.
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Finally, the ego consists of our will to bend reality to our worldview, our beliefs.
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Every spiritual school, as well as every educational method, includes a component of ego mastery. However, it is important to note that if one wishes to achieve a significant result in terms of the quality of living together, one must fight against all three aspects of the ego. Let us now examine the consequences of insufficient struggle against each aspect of the ego:
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Regarding social ambition, we can take as an example certain Western social circles where the cult of success is practiced. Indeed, an idealized image of the individual who succeeds through their own efforts is glorified there, but the sociological reality is an amplification of nepotistic instincts to ensure the success of one's offspring, hence the playing out of alliances and the resulting social violence. This leads to serious consequences in terms of stress for all individuals.
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An insufficient struggle against omnipotence manifests in two ways. On the one hand, through incivility, with individuals who no longer respect common rules of life—not because these rules are unsuitable in the circumstances where they choose to transgress them, but because cheating is perceived as 'being smarter' rather than a source of shame. On the other hand, the other person is no longer seen as a suffering being with whom one should show compassion and solidarity, but as a tool that can be used to the best of one's personal interests.
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Finally, placing our beliefs above facts leads to dogmatism. This prevents adaptation, preventing one from modifying one's conduct when facts accumulate showing that the chosen strategy is not working. The result is harm at all levels, from failing to help a loved one because one considers it up to them to normalize themselves, that is, to incorporate our own beliefs, to sending heretics to the stake to silence contradiction.
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We should also specify that the excesses of the ego have two origins. Some are inherited from—and common to—our social environment. Overcoming them requires the ability to individualize oneself in relation to the group, which relates to the issue addressed in the question 'What is an adult?'. Others are more individual and stem from a childhood narcissistic wound. In this case, the first step is to clearly identify this source. Finally, in both cases, a significant part of the work consists of discarding simplistic explanations that externalize the problem or beliefs that essentialize it.
The sublimation of the ego
The sublimation of the ego consists of putting one's capacities, one's energy, at the service of higher causes that transcend us, as opposed to putting them at the service of one's small, selfish self. This corresponds to a shift from the search for pleasure to the search for ataraxia. It also corresponds to a shift from the search for individual happiness, possibly at the expense of others, to the search for collective happiness.
Deepening
See the questions 'Is the purpose of life happiness?' and 'What is the purpose of life?'
For an explanation of the different strategies used by the individual when they do not master the social ambition dimension of their ego, see the question 'What are the consequences of social ambition? The notion of generalized nepotism.'
See the question 'Why is minimalism desirable?'
Finally, see the question 'What is awakening?' which discusses the spiritual path based on the disappearance of the ego.
↣ Definition of ego on Wikipedia
In the Wikipedia article on Jainism, in the paragraph 'Absence of pride', consult the list of 8 forms of pride proposed.
↣ Jainism on Wikipedia