I just wonder if the movement of kill the ego, is not that far from the idea of original sin?
That you are born with this part of you that is bad, and it needs to be cleansed.
I truly believe that your ego when serving the soul is one of our biggest allies.
If we where to Harness it's passion, yearning, energy, even greed, in service of our higher in my opinion we would get even further. I think it is a tool, and yes without a good bridal it can run wild like any strong horse, but I see it as a tool and not something to kill or be purified from.
What do you think? This is not a rhetorical question, I am really intrested in hearing other perspectives.
2007-07-16
06:50:11
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8 answers
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asked by
Delighted
3
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Society & Culture
➔ Religion & Spirituality
Moreth,
thanks for your response, could you say a bit more about that?
2007-07-16
06:56:17 ·
update #1
Your answers have been great and made me think that maybe I am using the word ego, without really grasping the whole connotation of the word. I guess I was referring to it as the lower self. Maybe my next question should be "what does the word Ego mean to you?"
2007-07-16
07:09:56 ·
update #2
L'Chaim
Thanx I agree with you completely on that!
2007-07-16
07:27:16 ·
update #3
Nice understanding of the common denominator of Eastern and Western religions. Selfishness, selflessness; ego, no ego. In Christianity, the concept of sin is essentially that which inhibits our ability to love others, i.e. obsession with the self. Similar or identical thoughts exist in other religions.
It is, however, very Western to say that we can benefit from "harnessing" the power of the ego. So long as desires exist, there is disappointment, there is judgment, there is suffering...
Buddhism focuses on how to escape the path of suffering. Other religions have this as well, I think, but they bring in a lot of unnecessary baggage.
I believe your approach of harnessing power is more effective in advancing our technology, lifestyles, etc. We already use these "powers" to achieve success in many cases. The problem is that there is an increasing trend in depression, and it seems like humanity is nearing something of a mental twilight age. We are beginning to lose meaning - not necessarily a bad thing, but we don't know how to handle it. We can learn from the Eastern perspective, however, so that we might overcome this darkness.
Western society (of which I, too, am a part) has placed great emphasis on success over peace. That is the problem.
2007-07-16 06:53:42
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answer #1
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answered by Skye 5
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"That you are born with this part of you that is bad, and it needs to be cleansed."
Incorrect. The ego is formed after birth (the ego being the sense of a separate "I"...an identity). When we are born we do not distinguish and there is no identity. After birth we get a name and start adding content into who we think we are (that is ego). That self is a false self...totally manufactured and created.
The ego is not bad...but not who we are. Realizing who we really are is what is important. Do not fight the ego or cleanse it...a waste of time as it just strengthens the ego...just let it go and find out who you really are.
~ Eric Putkonen
2007-07-16 07:09:15
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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2016-10-19 05:09:04
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answer #3
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answered by ? 4
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The desire to rebel against Gods Word or commandment is the sin nature.
Pride is part of that. Exalting self above God by rebelling. For example: God isn't going to tell me what to do. I am going to smash the neighbors toy because I can't find one like that any where.
2007-07-16 06:57:57
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answer #4
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answered by LottaLou 7
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The ego is an important part of your psyche. You can't eliminate it or cleanse it. You need to learn to live with it, like you need to accept your toes and fingers. That's why it's important to know more about yourself and work on self-improvement. Denying this part of you is like a god making you hate your humanity and forcing you to deny it.
atheist (THINK)
2007-07-16 07:03:07
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answer #5
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answered by AuroraDawn 7
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Nice theory but the ego is all about the self. Which is the antithesis of Christianity.
2007-07-16 06:58:09
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answer #6
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answered by Max Marie, OFS 7
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More exactly, egotism is the old original "sin"; see what the serpent said to Eve:
"[after eating from the Tree] then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil." (Gen. 3:5)
So it was the egotistic ambition of being "as God" what made Adam and Eve to eat from the tree!
2007-07-16 07:02:07
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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There is not now, and never has been, original sin. We are all born with a clean slate. We make choices to determine what's to be written on that slate! God does not create evil -- we do it to ourselves. Satan is not evil -- he serves as the accuser and points out our defects.
.
2007-07-16 07:20:28
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answer #8
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answered by Hatikvah 7
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