Theos-Talk Archives (May 1995 Message tl00061)

Keith Price:
> But the problem of the ego as a kind of vortex of negativity and
> creativity stills haunts me.  That is spiritual people seem to
> agree that the ego should be "bound back", the meaning of the
> word "religion" to a higher purpose.  All suggest the ego should
> become united with something beyond selfishness to the higher
> Principles, the Higher Self, the Will of God or something.

In psychoanalysis, the ego is the division of the psyche that is
conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior, and is
most in touch with external reality.  If one accepts this
definition of ego, then in my experience, the ego becomes a mask
through which the Higher Self can work.  This occurs after the
ego willingly gives itself up to a higher purpose, relieving it
of it's petty worries and concerns.  Bliss is achieved in
service.

> But people disagree on how to do this and how you can tell if
> this has been done.

Disagreement reminds me a many people arguing.  Sounds like
chaos.  Maybe every person has a unique way of achieving
integration with the Higher Self.  Those many different paths
seem like chaos, but are actually order.

- ann