The word Ego has usually negative connotations. Ego is synonymous with words like,
Arrogance..
Anger..
Hatred..
Jealousy..
Malice…
Pride..
Superiority complex..
Narcissism…
Etc…
But it has a very subtle side. If one is not vigilant, this side is missed completely.
Ego is attached to so called “Virtues” or “Good Behaviours” too. It goes well equally with both the sides.
If you are kind to someone but have a feeling of “I am being kind”, it is still the Ego speaking.
Ego is quite obvious when it announces itself as superior to others. But the same Ego can thrive in a person who is suffering from inferiority complex or self pity. This person can easily take up an identity of being “Inferior” to others and can derive peculiar pleasure out of this identity.
Ego demonstrates lot of “Pride” but the same Ego can be germinating in the form of “Humility” and “not being proud”.
If you helped someone but can’t put down the lingering thought “I have helped him/her”, the Ego is still hiding under the label of “Helper”.
You can be very generous person but deep inside, if you entertain the thought “I am a very generous person” – Ego is still at work in its subtlest form.
As long as thought or feeling has “I” flavour to it, it is still the same one.
Ego carries the smell of “I” whether it is identified with “Virtues” or “Vices”.
When linked with “Virtues”, it is the same one but wearing better clothes.
However, it would be a misunderstanding to think that I am suggesting each and every person who is kind, humble and generous carries the subtle flavour of the Ego. No.
In a way, Ego is not discriminatory. It doesn’t pick sides.
Rich or Poor..
Male or Female..
Good or Bad…
Young or Old…
Sometimes, you can hardly detect a trace of Ego in a wealthy person whereas a person living in poverty can exhibit all the symptoms of the Ego.
It may be easier to spot the subtlety of the Ego in others but if you really want to exercise the phenomena of subtle Ego, the great place to start is – Yourself. Because It is easier to see it in others.
Ego is not just obvious and loud. It can also be subtle and silent.
Ego thrives as long as it can preserve only one thing,
“I” – dentity.
