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Can A Human Function Without An Ego-Self?

S

Straw Dog

Well-Known Member
Treks said:
However, I wonder, is it actually psychologically possible to operate without, or with a severely diminished, ego-self?

I'm interested to hear what other followers of dharma who can relate with this concept, have to say about it.
Click to expand...

Yes, wonderful question.

Coming from a predominately Buddhist oriented perspective, this being perceives a series of 'egos'. It is very human to experience ego as a specific conception of 'self'. However, it is only a particular conceptualization. Yes, it is useful, but must be understood clearly.

Egos are like stones thrown haphazardly into the stream of consciousness. To grasp a particular stone is to fixate upon a past manifestation. It serves a means to an end, but becomes toxic if set as the end.
 
S

Straw Dog

Well-Known Member
Hmm... the stream of consciousness metaphor may not quite cover it. Let us expand... So we tend to grasp at a particular ego-stone within the stream of consciousness. It is already past-tense, but it is also raw material. We may produce a base metal with this ego-ore through smelting. This base metal 'self' may then be fused with others through forging. It is an active creation rather than a passive identity.
 
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