Originally posted by Chi-and-Me
It's my opinion that nobody ever fully sheds their ego. Not even a zen master or Jesus (if you will). The difference is how we react to the thoughts that arise. With practice, the ego does show itself less, but I would be skeptical of one who claims to have no ego.

A note from my ego taming practice: When I laugh at or curse someone silently in my thoughts, I find myself apologizing with thoughts right away. Not always. Sometimes I'm too upset. A work in progress.

I couldn't agree more.
There is no way to actually kill it or eliminate it but we can learn from it and learn to tame it and even better, learn to USE it to our advantage.

As it stands, the ego tends to use US more than we use IT.
This must change.
If we as a whole continue to be lead around and used by this "EGO" then we will only get more of what we already have in this world.

Even using the phrase "My Ego" tells you where you stand in relationship to it.
I trip up and say it too.
But really, when I stop and think about it, it isn't "Mine" at all.

It would be better to say "The" ego. imo.

anyway, great thoughts.

Originally posted by InTheFlesh1980
It seems inconsistent that the notion of "having everyone figured out" in the context of the poster you are referring to is presented as a bad or unfair thing.

Once again, where did ANYONE mention ANYTHING about ANYTHING being "bad" or "unfair"?

And once again, these are words that YOU and only YOU are using because you are projecting what You want to hear in order for YOU to make sense of the discussion.

No one said ANYTHING about ANYTHING being "bad" or "unfair" and you would HAVE to know this.
A simple glance back at the posts you are referring to would reveal this.
However, YOU and only YOU have used these words as they give you the necessary platform you need with which to launch some sort of counter attack to a percieved attack.

Don't worry though, I am used to it.
My wife uses this one constantly.

Let's refrain from projecting/ hearing what we want to hear rather than what was said and let's stick to reading the actual words used.

Originally posted by Screwed

Originally posted by InTheFlesh1980
It seems inconsistent that the notion of "having everyone figured out" in the context of the poster you are referring to is presented as a bad or unfair thing.

Once again, where did ANYONE mention ANYTHING about ANYTHING being "bad" or "unfair"?

And once again, these are words that YOU and only YOU are using because you are projecting what You want to hear in order for YOU to make sense of the discussion.

No one said ANYTHING about ANYTHING being "bad" or "unfair" and you would HAVE to know this.
A simple glance back at the posts you are referring to would reveal this.
However, YOU and only YOU have used these words as they give you the necessary platform you need with which to launch some sort of counter attack to a percieved attack.

Don't worry though, I am used to it.
My wife uses this one constantly.

Let's refrain from projecting/ hearing what we want to hear rather than what was said and let's stick to reading the actual words used.

Once again, you have avoided addressing content, this time with the tactic of diversion. You have chosen to redirect attention to semantics to avoid responding to inconsistencies in logic.

Semantcs. Very well. When you made the semi-sarcastic statement "you seem to have everyone figured out", are you trying to purport that the connotation was positive and/or benign? Typically, in the context of a discussion such as this, that statement has a negative connotation. One certainly does not say "you seem to have everyone figured out" and forthrightly, genuinely believe that the person really does have everyone figured out.

So, my analysis that this was construed as "bad" or "unfair" came directly from your own contextual negative connotation. Language has implications beyond the mere words.

This is becoming laborious as I feel we will be unable to engage in logical discourse. Thanks for the brief discussion.

Originally posted by six67seven

Originally posted by Alda1981
as my old wing chun/tae kwon do teacher had told me... one spec of dust called another spec of dust an @sshole... so what?

it always soothes me to think about it.

although my current brazilian jiu jitsu teacher tells me to triangle choke them but.. anyway...

i just wanted to chime in here and let you know one thing pal...

you're avatar cracks me up

thanks a lot buddy appreciated! many ppl seem to like it actually! i even get pm's of admiration for the little dude!

You're all idiots, pathetic, useless, scumbags, waste of humans,

Yes we are. Please forgive us.

im right..... youre wrong

Made me smile this, its important to realise we are the worst species on the planet, we have destroyed it... but its also important to realise that we have achieved amazing things and done so much.. yin and yang i suppose..

I guess just like our ancestors did, we have to vent correctly, compassion is key here..

And it is not an easy skill to attain, to be able to take note from things you dont like to hear.. to be able to realise that 'those who cast aspersions are only mirroring themselves' or so to speak.

Many more people are becoming aware of this, realising that we aint 'ALL THAT'.. we could be... but people, where is the love? i see very little... everywhere.. it's a saddening experience...


Hopefully one that will change..

"My heart weeps for the lack of compassion in this world" - As said by some wise person, sometime..

Great thread!
The ego is something I often find myself pondering over.
I think that language, particularly western language makes it even more difficult to separate ones self from the ego. Oops! the english language just slipped me up on that last sentence.
Alan Watts talks extensively about language and how it conditions us if you're interested.
Youtube his name.

Originally posted by emeris
im right..... youre wrong

Nuuuh uhhh,

I'M right and YOU'RE wrong!!

I'm never wrong.

Seriously though,
I know there are people who think this way and it get's rather silly rather quickly.

Here's a great mental exercise to see how "in check" your ego is.....or isn't.

I don't like the word "enlightened" or "enlightenment" as it has no clear boundries, description, or definition.
It is a pretty subjective word as are most words when you really stop and think about it.

Now then,

1. Do you think that there is anyone alive who is more enlightened than yourself?
2. Do you think there is anyone here on ATS who is more enlightened than yourself?
3. Point that person out. Tell us who he or she is.

See, the point is, unless your ego is just so far out of check that there is no saving your soul, you would necessarily have to admit that you are not the most enlightened person on Earth. Although, from what I have seen thus far, there are a few of them in this thread.

Now then, out of the hundred thousand members or so on ATS, if you think you are the most enlightened person on this website then congratulations, you have outed yourself once again for being an ego maniac.

If you are unable to swallow your pride and without the use of sarcasm,jokes, etc put it out there for all of us to see, who YOU consider to be more enlightened than yourself then congratulations, you have spoken more by not answering than by actually saying anything at all.

What is bound to happen is a barrage of thinly veiled insults and derailments,distractions,and diversions, but there are a few members here who I would be shocked to hear an answer from.

Originally posted by dominicus
This is the beginning of wisdom, of ego death, of Enlightenment.

There is no Ego to begin with, so your point is moot.

Second line.

What is the difference between plain ego and an alter ego, a super ego and a diseased ego?