So many of us hate our ego, our inner critic and judge. We want to get rid of it so we can evolve into more spiritual beings.
This inner violence (yes it is!) only reinforces the ego’s survival instincts. It will find an other way and grow stronger faced with adversity…. and the battle continues.
Does it really have to be like this? Here is an other approach that is cool and refreshing 💙
“Think of ego as a great block of ice.
When you slug ego, you play by its hurtful and pain-inducing rules. You bruise your knuckles and grow angrier each time you slug it.
But when you hug ice, it has no choice: it must gradually disappear.
Not immediately, no; but if you persist, it will melt, will it not?
This is precisely how it works to rid yourself of ego.
Hug it and it melts away.
And what remains is the oceanic freedom that is the pinnacle of human existence—the freedom to live, to love, and to be loved.
At a personal level it is pure self-love and joy; at a collective level it is a peace that can save our beloved planet and grace all the peoples of the world.”*
Dr David Mutchler
I have read many different approaches to dealing with ego on our spiritual journey. This is one that really resonates because it comes from the heart and not just the intellect.
How easy it is to forget that ego likes to hide in our mind and our thinking …
Namaste
*Taken from https://evolutionarymystic.wordpress.com/hug-ego-dont-slug-it/
If this perspective fascinates you, and you want to explore more deeply, I would highly recommend checking out the amazing resources at David Mutchler’s WordPress blog Evolutionary Mystic.
I am one who tends to struggle with ego…I like this idea of it as hugging ice.
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Me too Suz! Lets put down our ice picks 💛
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I like how you think, Val. 🙂
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Thanks Jill! I like how Dr David thinks … maybe because he thinks like me. I’m off to hug my ego.xo
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I really like this too Val, because it encourages me to embrace every part of me, even if I think some parts aren’t worth it and… love conquers all, right? ❤
Diana xo
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These old sayings do have a sound core to them! Thank you for reminding me Diana that love does conquer all. ❤️ xo
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This is beautiful Val. The image of ice and its melting in warmth is exquisite. So much proposed by religion has placed the emphasis on that pounding you speak of. Marvellous post.
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I agree Don. Thank you for this insight. Some religious leaders can be pretty violent about ego…. and I’m guessing its because they are struggling so hard with beating down their own ego in order to attain awakening.
It makes me wonder if the stronger the belief the stronger the ego is in control…
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That last sentence of yours is so profoundly true, Val. Some of the most egotistical people are intensely religious. I know, I was one.
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Thank you for your candid expression Don ❤️
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I view Ego as an amusing and demanding toddler . . . intent on getting what it wants when it wants it. Battling head on with a toddler is exhausting and self-defeating.
Far better to watch Ego with detached amusement and affection.
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You gotta love ’em tho 😉
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Water is fluid. What I like about this analogy is if you hug a cold cube, your warmth melts it into a adaptive, liquid that can go anywhere and become so many things. It nourishes and enriches all that it touches. Ego transformed in this analogy is love.
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Yes Noelle! I love that. The ego isn’t killed it transcends just as the ice transforms to water.
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Love this perspective, and love the comments that gave added to the anology! I like the idea of embracing and changing via non-violence. Which also means my yoga classes are paying off because that’s one of the yamas. Or niyamas. Maybe class hasn’t paid off fully! 🙂
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Great Kate 😎
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BTW – It’s the first Yama and the most important to live by in yoga.
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Thanks! 🙂
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You’re welcome Kate!
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‘Soul Without Shame’ by Byron Brown is a must read in dealing with the inner critic too, my teacher once told me to love it to death, kinda fits with ice idea too.
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It sounds like we are on a similar path Ian. Let’s love it to transcendence 😉
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I want to hug you and this post, Val!
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You make me melt Ann 💛
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Love it!
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Thank you!
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I like this, Val. I see the melting as a melding. Integration. Ego and Soul are essential together. Thank you!
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I love your perspective Carrie! Thank you for sharing ❤️
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Love this, Val! Thanks for sharing it.
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Glad you liked it Eliza 🙂
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Great idea!
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Thanks Julie!
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Its always great to understand another way of embracing our whole self. I love this analogy, hugging away today…. 🙂
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Thanks Karen. There are so many ways to approach this… but this one really resonates with me these days 🙂
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Oh I so love this idea Hugging Ice.. I am going to give myself the biggest Hug ever today 🙂 😀 xxx (( Hugs ))
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Yummy melting into our Being 🙂
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I find this enlightening “At a personal level it is pure self-love and joy; at a collective level it is a peace that can save our beloved planet and grace all the peoples of the world.”
That is because, I struggle with the concept of self-love, thinking it makes me selfish – this puts a better perspective on it.
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I can see how that might be Elizabeth. .. yet it really is about acceptance and forgiveness for the flawed human being that we are. 💛
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We do have to love ourselves before we can love others. The Lord loves us all unconditionally. I see my flaws and become self-critical, but then I realizes he loves me no matter how much I weigh, whether I am feeling sad or happy he is there. But I still struggle with feeling selfish and inadequate. Thank you for this helpful post.
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