Ego death, what is it? Doesn’t sound good does it. Well Buddhism teaches the ego or individual soul doesn't exist (as it is dependent on something else which means it can’ t truly exist (anatta). Lama Yeshe of Samye Ling temple said to me once in an interview, to smash the ego. Ego death is like looking in the mirror and not identifying with yourself. How do we process this in the every day work a day life? I am going to break this down and explain what is intended with a take away.
What causes ego death? Ego death can be caused by drug use, LSD (see the works of Timothy Leary) for example. This drug can cause in an increase in dopamine which can mess with our brain chemistry and cause ego death. Technically it is a complete loss of subjective self-identity. I have a habit of separating brain chemistry from astral realization, and discernment. So without going a whole stream on interesting facts about mystical ego death, I’m going to give my take on this as I think there is a big misunderstanding.
Does the ego need to go?
When a person attains crown Chakra activation there is a point when the flame goes out and a person is thrown into 4th dimensional awareness. In this state, the ego remains but the subtle flame of becoming goes out. The ego by this has been refined and humbled due to awakening into lucid dreaming. However, the ego remains and the person is focused in spiritual development.
Buddhism no ego (anatta)
The Buddha taught there is no individual soul or ego. The ego needed to be independent and not dependent to be a real thing. People don’t realize the Buddha is a non-dualist and is saying the world is an illusion. What this means is that everything in the world is dependent on something and therefore not truth. What the Buddha means is that consciousness is truly independent and therefore the truth (from this view). If you read my posts, I explain the path of the formless soul, non-duality. So without getting stressed, Buddha means enjoy your life but see what it is. This is a very deep view and which needs to be explained properly.
My take away
Personally I feel that ego death is misunderstood by the West and by many scholars. We should not be looking to remove the ego but just do our spiritual practice and enjoy yourselves. There is a very long journey ahead. When the mango is ready to fall from the tree, it will.
Thanks for reading. Please subscribe.
David
Comments