Ego

What is the ego? It is basically the sense of self. When your ego is too strong, it manifests as excessive pride and a complete disregard of others. This can lead to many negative consequences for you, but it is the excess that causes the problem, not the ego itself.

The opposite can be just as harmful. When your ego is too weak, it manifests as self-inflicted humiliation, degradation and shame. Feeling unworthy, you shy away from interactions with other people and become fearful of challenges. This insufficiency of the ego causes as many problems as excessive ego.

The teaching of moderation tells us that there is a balance between the two extremes, where the ego is not too strong and not too weak. When it is just right, it will facilitate your role as a human being and a member of society. It manifests as confidence, independence and a healthy amount of self-respect.

The Tao Today

Despite what many books on Eastern thought may say, there is no need to eliminate your ego. There is, however, a great need to manage it. Is your ego in a state of balance? Look at how people react to you to gauge if your ego is too strong or too weak, and make this assessment the starting point of your internal ego management.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin