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Reading the Chapter 2 of ‘A New Earth’ by Eckhart Tolle – “Ego: The Current State of Humanity”
This chapter delves into the concept of the ego and its role in human suffering.
In my experience in reading and understanding this chapter, I found Tolle’s definition of ego to be a shift in thinking. He understands the ego as the word “I’ and as “a misperception of who you are, an illusory sense of identity.” The ego is a false sense of self. It is our tendency to identify with our thoughts and roles as well as things, such as “I am a generous person,” or “I have a nice car.” The ego seeks reinforcement through comparison. It is never satisfied. This can lead to conflict and division.
Tolle tells a story about a woman who cannot find her ring. (See page 38) This is an illustration of the ego’s attachment to possessions and the suffering it creates. The woman in the story feels pain because the ring was part of her identity. The ring was labeled as “mine.” It was an egoic tie to something external. The loss of the external item was perceived by the woman as a diminishment of her self.
Toole then encourages practicing detachment. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t enjoy possessions, but we should recognize that they do not add to or take away from our true essence.
Try this! When you are experiencing pain from a loss, either internal or external, use these questions from the chapter.
- Do you realize you will have to let go of this at some point?
- How much more time do you need before you will be ready to let go of it?
- Will you become less when you let go of it?
- Has who you are become diminished by the loss?
There can be a profound relief when using this practice.
Another important takeaway is the idea that the egoic mind is completely conditioned by the past. You can choose to question it. “Most don’t inhabit a living reality, but a conceptualized one.” On page 30, Tolle talks about the experience of disidentifying from thoughts and experiencing a shift in identity from being the content of their mind to being the awareness in the background.
Tolle specifically states that the ego isn’t wrong. It’s just unconscious. Awareness is the key to transcending the ego.
How often do we define ourselves by what we “own” or “achieve” rather than who we are at a deeper level?
Can you observe moments in your daily life when the ego takes over (e.g., needing to be right, comparing yourself to others)?
What practices help you step back and see the ego for what it is?
“Life isn’t as serious as my mind makes it out to be.” – Eckart Tolle
See you next week!