A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle and Oprah discuss how the ego leads to human suffering: Buddha’s insight
Reviewing Chapter 3 of Eckhart Tolle’s book A New Land on Oprah’s online course via Skype, the two talked about the almighty ego in all of us.
Oprah began: “Learning to manage that ego is what this book is about.”
Tolle: “Yes, and going beyond the ego at the same time means going beyond what the Buddha described as the normal human condition: suffering. Because, ultimately, the ego, sooner or later, usually before always produces some form of suffering.”
It is amazing how persistent the ego is in its quest to overpower us and dominate our lives in an attempt to exalt itself. When we give in to the egoic mind or “carnal mind” as the Bible calls it, we give it room to incarnate and possess us.
If we don’t distinguish and differentiate between ourselves and our thought processes, the egoic mind will quickly seduce and enslave us. This happens when we appropriate the innumerable egoic and self-exalting thoughts that circulate through our minds and, from then on, attach our own identity to them.
It is as if we have “gone crazy” with our ego and therefore we allow it to be in the driver’s seat of our life taking us wherever it wants. The final destination is usually always painful and destructive, because we cannot collectively live in society effectively and successfully when we are completely focused on ourselves.
The egoic mind tends toward self-exaltation, the acquisition of illusory identity enhancers, comparison, labelling, complaining, condemnation, and control. All of these create and equate to large amounts of stress, which are totally unmanageable for the human soul. Is there any question as to why people have emotional breakdowns?
People have said that at times of increased stress and emotional turmoil, “I’m going to lose my mind.” Well, honestly, that might be the best thing that ever happened to someone bound and possessed by their ego mind. Giving up control and separating from the incessant and persistent ego mind that disturbs you would be nirvana itself.
God never intended for us to live our lives in our mind. God is Spirit (John 4:24) and therefore is omniscient and omnipotent. When we enter the realm of the spirit there is a flow of life and much less thought. Many experience paralysis in their life through excessive mental analysis, being too dulled by their thought process.
Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
When human beings are dominated by their ego, their entire life purpose tends toward self-exaltation and self-preservation. It can be seen when families or several couples gather to enjoy a dinner. There will arise within the ego of some individuals a struggle and struggle as to where the dinner will be eaten, what time the dinner will be held, and who and how the dinner will be paid for.
Unable to let go and fully enjoy the experience, the ego dwindles and dwarfs human potential. Ironically, the ego leads us to believe that it is looking out for our best interest. In reality, however, the ego thwarts meaningful relationship, career advancement, and spiritual development.
Therefore, the remedy is to do what Jesus said: “Take up your cross and deny yourself” (see Matthew 16:24). Denial begins on the battlefield of the mind. Jesus himself was crucified on Golgotha, the place of the skull (Matthew 27:33). Spiritually speaking, this is our path to the spirit realm, when we too crucify our egoic mind and the restless thoughts that continually circulate within it. By crucifying and dying our ego mind, the life of the inner spirit can arise and bring new life.
Thus, we can transcend the ego, be enlightened, and open to the realm of spirit where true life is found and enjoyed.
