Ego Thoughts

Originally Written: June 2022

Published as a first draft: July 2024

Many great

philosophers and spiritual practitioners

speak of

ego death as though

ego isn’t inherently human,

and something meant to be used and not

destroyed.

For me it is less about removing the mask of ego

and stomping it under my feet,

but first recognizing the mask,

recognizing I can take it off,

and then learning that

I can decorate it however I please,

while actualizing the soul underneath.

It’s not about opting out of the dance of life.

It’s dancing intentionally,

without mindless movement.

Many people get to the point in their journey

of “ego death”

and then leave society behind like

the prodigal son.

But this journey isn’t about death.

It’s about life.

It’s removing the mask,

and living anyway,

which may be the most vulnerable act we can do.

It’s reaching enlightenment,

then perfectly curating your ego to serve yourself

and the collective.

The exploration of self will never stop,

but the creation of self is truly

human.

This way nothing has greater control over you.

You have your true higher self,

and then you have ego,

which is an accumulation

of all environment, nurture and nature,

and once that is dissected,

and fully understood,

you can decorate your mask however you please,

trying on characteristics

like jewelry.

You need not go about this life a blank slate,

decoration is beautiful and human,

but you also have the power to

chose the mask you wear.