Ego

In Buddhism, true nature is defined as awareness and consciousness. In contrast, the modern world has created a society that is increasingly distracted with quick rewards that distract us from these quiet forms of contentment and satisfaction. Most people are uncomfortable, and often unable, to understand how to exist purely in the perfect “natural order” of the universe.

It is important to understand the role of the ego. Ego often intervenes in our thoughts and actions, and it is ever-present. With consciousness, one can temper the ego’s voice. Modern society, however, enables the ego, fueling its desperate need for external validation. Rewards, such as social media “likes”, create addictive patterns that lead to dissatisfaction and an exacerbated sense of desperation. With a lack of consciousness, people chase quick dopamine rushes and fleeting pleasures while devaluing activities that promote peace, calmness, and connectivity. Cultivating relationships and connecting to something larger is key to living a more balanced and meaningful life.

The ego often drives a constant feeling of “never enough”, promoting the desire for self-improvement. Growth is natural, and challenges serve to help us evolve and learn life lessons. Improvement in a skill or talent can also lead to non-rational, non-analytical, flow-like states of being. However, improvement for the sake of “proving oneself” can become a never-satiated, ego-led mission. Buddhism teaches that suffering begins with the desire to change. By this thinking, self-acceptance is key. By accepting life as it is and embracing who we are, we can exist peacefully within and among ourselves. 

Ambition to improve the world, while fueled with good intentions, counters the teachings of “acceptance”. Imposing a vision on others or trying to change them will probably not deliver the intended results. Fostering a sense of kinship, love for one another, and mindfulness will likely prove a better catalyst for change. Mindfulness can include self-reflective practices such as meditation, walking in nature, reading poetry, or engaging with art, but each person must find their own path to inner peace and awareness.

Change cannot be imposed or forced through manipulation. Lasting change will naturally occur by living authentically with consciousness and awareness. The greatest challenge — and the highest wisdom —  is being oneself.

Concept contributors: Reon Brand, Twan Roubroeks, Jessica Smarsch, Edgar van der Linden, and Christel Verboven

Writing: Jessica Smarsch