I haven’t mentioned one of my current influences here in Steeem, Tom Campbell.
Tom is a physicist and also a researcher into consciousness who wrote a book called my big theory of everything in which he explains at length how the most elegant model to understand the world Is that we are in a virtual reality.
In this video though, he doesn’t speak about his theories. Instead he helps a man who is openly sharing about his Suicidal thoughts whilst touching on relationships and other things.
If you yourself struggle with depression or know anyone that does, I think Tom’s wisdom has potential to help. It’s a long film but I am going to watch it a few times because I think it can help.
Let me know what you think.
Typically, the blockages with human dysfunctions are caused by some of the 'spiritual thinking' that is common on earth presently. The obsession with attempting to define what is 'ego based' and what is not, as if the absence of ego is 'better' is one of the common ones. The main problem there is that the definition of 'ego' that many people hold is incorrect. Ego is simply the part of you that knows who you are. It is imbalance in the ego that is the problem and not ego itself. Attempting to 'live for others' and 'put down/destroy/limit' ego is only generally going to cause a feeling of low self worth - which will then further the motivation to attempt to 'live for others' all the more and so the cycle continues.
We cannot give love or serve others unless we have love for us inside first and serve our needs first. We have needs that cannot be met by others and so it is our primary responsibility to meet those needs.
I actually feel angry to hear him talking about 'letting go of ego' as if it is a good thing. Also, 'positive thinking' is of no use as long as denial is involved, the parts of you that you are focusing on get stronger, but the parts in denial get weaker. The ego is part of self and to deny the ego it's right place is self destructive.
To fully understand these topics requires a deep understanding of emotions which can only come through internal exploration and emotional expression. The male dominated, linear/mental approach used by almost all 'experts' you will find today online is part of the cause of the problems, not the solution.
I would beg to differ. I think you misunderstand him because he is using the word ego differently to why many people understand by that word. I think he means your fears. Also, I have seen over and over in the 12 step program how people can create peace for themselves by giving less and less attention to the egos desires and fears and more attention to service to others and the greater good. I think you make valid points but don’t agree with the simplifications you make.
I'm sure there is a way to reach full understanding and agreement here since much of this does revolve around definitions - plus some realisations that are counter to common thought.
Everything in us needs understanding (light) and when our parts get the understanding they need, they are free to change and transform in terms of what they hold and what they want/need. There's no need to just ignore (deny) the ego, even if you think/feel your egoic desires are unhealthy there's still no benefit to ignoring it - the key is to understand it and to go to the causal layers and make deeply felt changes there. Why is there a desire to have the biggest car? Why is there a desire to take the most drugs? All of these questions have roots, causes and answers and once they are found we are truly empowered to change our thoughts and feel better. Blaming the ego and attempting to look in a different direction is no more wise than a piano player blaming the keys when playing a bum note and then putting fingers in ears or talking to someone else instead of just going to the root of issue and fixing it there.
Fear is typically involved with all these problems, yes - though it is certainly inaccurate and misleading to make 'ego' synonymous with fear. <3
I would like to add this video too. Some very valuable advice from a modern genius of psychology:
Prof. Jordan Peterson - Advice For People With Depression
Suicide and depression is a topic worldwide understanding it's a difficult challenge for many people I myself suffer from an anxiety and depression. my advice is get help
The video is a little bit to long for me to watch right now.
When I feel depressed I find Alan Watts very helpful to remind me of things that make the depression lighter and more acceptable.
Once I heard somebody say that depressed is more like deep-rest.. your body and mind are exhausted from playing your character(illusion) all the time and are in need of a deep rest.. for me this makes a lot of sense and immediately creates a more acceptable depression as it is something I can work with now...
Thanks for reminding me about Alan watts. He is cool!
Typically, the blockages with human dysfunctions are caused by some of the 'spiritual thinking' that is common on earth presently. The obsession with attempting to define what is 'ego based' and what is not, as if the absence of ego is 'better' is one of the common ones. The main problem there is that the definition of 'ego' that many people hold is incorrect. Ego is simply the part of you that knows who you are. It is imbalance in the ego that is the problem and not ego itself. Attempting to 'live for others' and 'put down/destroy/limit' ego is only generally going to cause a feeling of low self worth - which will then further the motivation to attempt to 'live for others' all the more and so the cycle continues.
We cannot give love or serve others unless we have love for us inside first and serve our needs first. We have needs that cannot be met by others and so it is our primary responsibility to meet those needs.
I actually feel angry to hear him talking about 'letting go of ego' as if it is a good thing. Also, 'positive thinking' is of no use as long as denial is involved, the parts of you that your are focussing on get stronger, but the parts in denial get weaker. The ego is part of self and to deny the ego it's right place is self destructive.
To fully understand these topics requires a deep understanding of emotions which can only come through internal exploration and emotional expression. The male dominated, linear/mental approach used by almost all 'experts' you will find today online is part of the cause of the problems, not the solution.