Ego: the part of us that blinds us to our truth, and keeps us addicted to negativity.
Now you have made the decision to leave suffering behind, life should be easier, right. The answer is yes and no.
When you master the tools to remove yourself from blame, self-pity, self-flagellation and being a victim of circumstance, your ego is also learning. It also becomes a master of finding your hidden triggers.
Your ego is the single enemy within that will drag you back into the underworld of negative emotions before you even notice. You know that you are feeling and doing better.
Meanwhile, your ego recognizes that it is being edged out. It tells you that you are great, no perfect! Now you want to show the world how amazing you are and that you have all the answers. That is simply your ego using arrogance to make you believe that you are superior. Steps forward are now much tougher but vastly more rewarding, as we eradicate the last vestiges of our ego.
When you are standing in your glory, as a whole person you have no need to be right. In fact you know rightness and righteousness are merely a perspective of your very limited view of the world. When you are secure and your ego is not engaged, you have no need to prove anything to anyone, everything just is. That knowledge in and of itself will sustain a person standing firmly in their truth.
When we can re-frame any personal interaction, experience or situation; when we can remain calm in the face of any situation, we have left ego behind and are now in truth and power. This process does not have to be instantaneous, you need to have compassion for yourself before you can truly extend that courtesy to others.
If you are walking this path of enlightenment, there will come a point where you feel truly at peace almost all of the time. Not everyone around you will be ready to board your ‘happy train’. Some of the people in your inner circle will probably be suspect of your serenity. This can be a very difficult point when you are finding yourself and trying to remain in your power.
Remember, those around you have probably heard this story before. You say “I am okay this time, I am great!” Wives, husbands, family, friends, and caregivers have been fighting to get their loved ones back for years if not decades. Some have abandoned us for fear of being dragged up and down a mountain of feelings again.
This can be utterly exasperating for you. It is hard to stay the course at this point. Bear in mind that those people have been picking up the pieces of your life for a long time. It is your turn to be patient and understanding. Your internal compass north, is more important than ever. Having compassion and empathy for the people who doubt the integrity of your awakening is a quintessential, undisputable sign of your growth.
There is nothing to prove. Your calm, when facing skepticism and others fear, will show the staunchest disbelievers you have arrived. Your reward for your hard work is your inner peace. Nobody has the power to take that from you unless you allow them to!
Artwork titled “Balancing Act” painted by blog author Nonaine Levy.
