Chapter 3 of A New Earth is entitled “The Core of Ego.”  The main takeaway is that the ego is a “false sense of self.”  Nobody is wrong. It is the ego. The ego operates on the basis of identification and separation.  Most people are so identified with their thoughts and emotions that they may be described as possessed by their mind.

The conceptual “I” cannot survive without the conceptual “other.”  Our sense of self is tied to how we compare ourselves to others.  Our sense of self is the “I.”  Judgment comes from the ego, not necessarily from a place of truth.   This is the way we define ourselves and we define others.  Defining and comparing fosters the constant need for external validation.

The ego is the source of judgment and negativity. We often focus on and/or exaggerate the negative aspects of others and situations.  As we do this, we give those negatives more power and more significance than they deserve.  This also blocks us from seeing the whole picture. Fault may be there but we amplify it by focusing on it.  When we criticize others, it’s not necessarily about the other person being “wrong.” It’s about the ego’s need to feel superior and protect itself. 

Part of “awakening” is realizing that we are NOT the ego and everyone is struggling with the same egoic patterns of fear, insecurity, and the need for validation.  Once we realize this, we can cultivate compassion and understanding.

True peace and freedom come from transcending the ego and its limitations.  The ego is also responsible for our suffering, as it is constantly trying to protect itself from perceived threats.  The content of your mind is conditioned by the past.  Cultivating self-awareness and compassion helps us to break free from the cycle of judgment and to separate from the ego.

Remember that self-reflection is an ongoing process, and there are no right or wrong answers.

“There is no one who does not want peace.” – Eckhart Tolle