Q: Is the purpose of becoming familiar with the ego to disarm it and open the way to acceptance?
A: We see that trying to ‘overcome’ the ego without really understanding it brings up guilt, self-condemnation, and other negative feelings, which is one of the main reasons why many people are reluctant to become involved in spiritual work. Because of this, people are afraid to be honest with themselves and tend to project the downside of the ego onto others or even onto God. Jealousy, retaliation, vengeance, partiality, etc., are all attributes of the ego and not of God.
From a greater, context, we can view that the ego is not ‘evil’ but is primarily a self-interested animal. Unless the ‘animal self’ is understood and accepted, its influence cannot be diminished. Like a pet, the inner animal can be comical and entertaining, and we can enjoy it without guilt and look forward to getting it trained and properly house broken. This training is what is meant by the word “civilization’.
After reading Eye of the I, I, Truth VS Falsehood, Discovery of the Presence of God, Letting Go, Power VS Force, Healing and Recovery and Transcending the Levels of Consciousness, I have come to the conclusion that EGO simply is an inherited thought process governed by the concept of causality which ends at 499 and begins to be transcended at the level of Love – 500. I love the analogy of treating EGO like a pet.
In the copy of I: Reality and Subjectivity that I have this is actually found on pg. 113, in chapter 6. Either way, a lovely teaching that I am taking the time to look up and source properly so I can get it right for my podcast Inflections of the Mystic Message (found at mysticalmessenger.com – this quote can be heard in episode 9: Ego, Soul & Self). Thank you Dr. Hawkins, Susan, and all who are helping to share these teachings. Gloria in Excelsis Deo!