Who Am I? The Ego Or The Higher Self?

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“Who am I?” is one of the most popular article on this blog. That article has a lot to do with soul shifting, and in this new article, I’d like to discuss this fundamental issue of our existence by focusing on the ego and the Higher Self.

We exist on two completely different levels, or as two beings, the ego and the Higher Self. This split and identifying with the ego rather than the Higher Self is the cause of troubles and pains in life.

Definition of the ego

Ego is your form identity. By definition, forms appear to be separate from one another, so your ego thinks you are a separate being in this world. Therefore, your ego is invested in your survival. It does everything it can possibly conceive to make sure you survive in this seemingly wide cruel world.

The main tool the ego uses for this objective is thinking. In fact, the ego is so much about thinking that 99% of the time you are thinking, I can safely assume it’s your ego thinking. (The remaining 1% or so is when you are actively solving specific problems, such as when you are working on a math test.)

Thinking isn’t bad by itself, but when the ego uses it in its signature obsessive manner, it is no good. When it’s extremely obsessive, we call it “worrying” “obsessing” or “paranoid”, but really, most of us are addicted to compulsive thinking.

Think of your ego as a little creature who is scared of just about everything. So the ego is always on the defense and thinks, thinks, and thinks . . .

Oh, and the ego also likes temporary pleasures. Of course — who can just go on and on worrying without the occasional relief of a pleasure? The ego is greedy for a reason.

The ego also likes competition and argument. Or, more accurately, the ego sees everyone else as competitor and every conversation as argument.

Your Higher Self

Whether you have ever thought of it or not (here is the word “thought” again — that’s the ego talking), you also exist as your Higher Self.

In this context, I am using the word “Higher Self” as pretty much the same as spirit or soul. Your Higher Self is the formless part of you (but not your mind — mind is formless by itself but is attached to the form), and therefore is interconnected with all other existences and one with God, or the Source.

Your Higher Self is not concerned about your survival. Your Higher Self survives the death of your current body and has already seen many such transformations. So your Higher Self has a completely different purpose.

Your Higher Self is a wise and powerful creator. Your Higher Self knows so much better than all the knowledge and reasonings your ego can gather.

Two worlds

Where is this formless world where our Higher Selves live? Behind the world of forms we are used to see. It’s not somewhere in the sky, really, it’s a dimension that is connected to this world.

I want to make a point that the world of forms is not inferior to the formless world. Look out the window and notice how beautiful this physical world is. We incarnated to experience this world of forms. It is a wonderful place to pass by.

The ancient Indians taught that the four elements (earth, water, fire, air) that make up everything in this universe all come from one ultimate element, Akasha, and eventually return to Akasha. Akasha is the primordial element that is formless and cannot be detected by our senses. In other words, this physical world rises from the formless and returns to the formless. Yet, the manifestation is a joy and is meaningful.

Likewise, let’s not make the ego our enemy. That’s what many people do, as I wrote in this article about releasing negativity. No need — rather, we just dis-identify with the ego and live as the Higher Self more.

How to tell the ego from Higher Self

So the golden questions are:

• How do you tell your ego from your Higher Self?
• When you want something, how can you tell if it’s your ego’s desire or your Higher Self’s wish?
• How do you release your lifelong identification with the ego?

If you know the answers to these questions, the Garden of Eden is your playground. You shall live in child-like bliss there. The Law of Attraction works for you without fail.

The trouble is, as soon as we start thinking about these questions, it’s very likely your ego kicks in, and from there, it’s all about ego’ s playing with words and logics. Your Higher Self knows your ego (it knows everything) but your ego doesn’t know your Higher Self, so this thinking by the ego about itself and the Higher Self (which it has no idea, really) is futile.

The answers to these questions can only be received intuitively. Meditation is helpful.

However, my spirit guides and I have been working on a step-by-step approach for those of you who are more left-brained or for those times when your intuition seems to be working on the low. It doesn’t replaces intuition, but it can supplement the working of intuition by giving some structure.

I’ll write about these steps in the next article.

Related post: Motivation vs Inspiration (Motivation is about the ego and inspiration is about the Higher Self)

Returning to Eden, or the Original Child-Like Bliss

I realize it’s been quite some time since I last posted on this blog. I am alive. Well, not only alive, but VERY alive.

As some of you commented, the last post “What Does It Mean To Grow Spiritually?” was a big turning point for me. More accurately, there was a big change within me that made me write that article. I was finally freed from the endless burden to grow or to develop, to be better than I am now. That was a delusional assignment I gave myself, based on my own judgments. The truth is, and always has been, always will be, that I am whole and complete already and I don’t need to push myself.

Let me repeat: God never demands you to be “better”. You are deeply and completely loved already for who you are. It was us who thought we are not “enough” and obligated ourselves for improvement.

I mentioned the story of Adam and Eve in that article, so I might also say this: While we are judging — ourselves and others (same thing) — we automatically shift out of Eden because the energy of judgment is not compatible with the field energy of Eden. So returning to Eden is possible and instantaneous. Drop judgment, choose love.

Not working on improvement puts you in the Now

When we are working to be better than we are already (or so it seems — all the changes we can make are superficial), our focus is sent to the delusional state of the future. We are not really living in the Now. Now is considered worthless — not good enough — and effectively ignored.

So dropping judgment brings us back to the Now.

The other day, it dawned on me to check a bike shop. Eugene is very bike friendly and I see many cyclists, yet I was never serious about getting a bike before. I had plenty of excuses. “It rains from November to June in this area. Then it’s hot in the summer. When would I ride a bike anyway?” “All the bikes they sell are too big for me.” etc.

That day, I walked in, test drove one of the few bikes that fit me, loved the way I felt riding it — I feel like a little kid! They had two color choices and I picked the one in black and silver. Done deal. Really simple.

When do I ride it? It’s a beautiful autumn day today, so why not ride it today? That’s when. Now.

Changing because I am not trying to change myself

It’s the zen-like paradox of spirituality. Since I quit changing myself, I am changing really fast.

I notice I act like a little kid these days — even when I am not on the bike I sing and dance silly made-up songs when I do the dishes. Overall, moving my body feels good and I am spending a lot more time doing various forms of movement, including one hour yoga every morning.

The joy and awe of life I felt as a kid is coming back to me.

I also find I am losing the sense of self-importance. I am who I am. Just as you see in front of you. Why the heck do I need to put on the air of importance? If you don’t like me, please feel free to pass on me.

What can a spiritual teacher do?

So, when the hierarchal view peels off along with the sense of self-importance (or the self-imposed need for improvement, really two sides of the same coin), what do I do as author of this spirituality blog?

Quit blogging?

I probably don’t mind that, but there is just one thing. It doesn’t seem there are many people who is enjoying this child-like bliss. It escaped me for a long time and honestly still escapes me from time to time. Many people have never had it as an adult.

Returning to Eden is easy and instantaneous, but not many people are finding the path. (No surprise here, really, because they are seeking outside of themselves.)

Is there something I can do for them? Like, reminding them to look inside? Reminding you that you are already whole and loved?

This is tricky, I guess. I’m going to sound really contradictory if I present the HOW-TO of spiritual remembering while I already wrote it’s instantaneous. Do I want to do that? Maybe?

And if I choose to do it, is writing the best method?

Okay, this post is intended to be a progress report, so let me stop here. Let me know if you have any request for this blog, and have a good day!