The Ego is Not the Enemy

For a long time, I thought I had to fight my ego or somehow overcome it to get “further” spiritually. But I’m realizing more and more: The ego is not my enemy.

It is the part of me that has saved my ass, many times. Especially in times when things were loud or difficult around me, my ego was on guard. It helped me handle challenges, function, and survive. In a way, it’s a form of intelligence that brought me this far.

The Trap of the "Spiritual Ego"

If I view this part of me as “bad” and start fighting it, I fall into a deep trap: I create a new “spiritual ego.” This is the part that then starts judging me all the time.

This spiritual ego tells me: “You shouldn’t feel that way,” “You’re not let-go enough,” or “You’re not loving enough.” So, I’m constantly judging myself for having judgments, or judging myself for still having an ego.

And that is the ultimate cycle of exhaustion.

As long as I view a part of myself as a "foe" that needs to be defeated, the fight never ends. And in this battle against myself, I can never win; I only lose.

Resting in Who We Are

It’s not about being perfect or not having an ego anymore. That is an impossible standard. The ego still has a purpose for navigating this world. It just shouldn’t be running my life from the driver’s seat.

For me, the key is self-acceptance. Accepting all of it: the "messy" parts, the weaknesses, the judgments, and the ego.

We don't have to constantly "work on ourselves" or prove anything or "overcome" anything to be worthy or loved. I believe we can simply rest within ourselves, just as we are right now.

That, to me, is true freedom: To stop the battle, let the armor drop, and finally land. Within myself.