I have many words that have made a strong impact on my life. Some of these terms have been good, while others have been bad. Those terms that represent strong ideals and morals in one's life are called "God-terms." They are "words to live by." The opposite of this is called "devil-terms." These are terms that represent strong negative anti-God-terms. These words consistently have dark connotations. The ideas they represent are rejected and avoided by people.
For me the word "ego" is a devil term. This term represents the grand flaw of the human race. Spirit is the opposite of this word. Ego is the idea that we as humans are in constant competition with others. We become separated from other humans and ultimately from God. The word "God" represents a spiritual peace and serenity: a kind of connectedness with a greater power. Ego is a separation of us as humans from this serenity. The ideas of ego and spirit are things that I think about everyday and as time goes on I become more aware of it in my life and in others around me.
Ego is the idea that we need to be better than other people and a constant pursuit of it. Ego is a need to announce events and achievements in our life. It can be as simple as not trusting your instincts and inner voice of what is the best next move: needing a consensus on making decisions in life.
Spirit is the opposite of this. Its a silent serenity and trust in your inner voice in life making decisions. My brother once said to me, "life is to be lived and not talked about or discussed." It is not needing to announce achievements and events or constantly seeking advice. All the answers and all needed guidance is already within us. There is no need to look outside of ourselves for approval or a spiritual connection with our great father (or higher power). He has been with us the whole time. He never left our side.
Below is listed the poem by the poet Tagore. He describes ego and how it is a part of us as a human being. Spirit will always be needed to overcome ego.
Ego by Rabindranath Tagore
" I went out alone on the way to my trist but who is this me in the dark? I step aside to avoid his presence but I escape him not. He makes the dust rise from the earth with his swagger. He adds his loud voice to every word I utter. He is my own little self, my lord. He knows no shame but I am ashamed to come to thy door in his company."
On a daily basis, I think about areas of my habitual lifestyle that I have let ego overcome spirit. This is the question I pose to my readers, what are areas of your life you have allowed ego to overrun your sense of spirit? And consequently how can spirit be the main force guiding our lives?
