Ego Activity Reflects the Process of Creation
Ego activity is a distorted attempt at creation. It is a reflection of several metaphysical and spiritual truths. Before we get into all that, let’s first understand the cycle of ego activity.
The ego cannot tolerate the NOW. The NOW will still ego activity and dissolve the ego sense of a separate self. The ego rejects the NOW, seeking greener grass on the other side of the hill. Ego activity perpetuates the sense of the Ego-I. The ego is fundamentally a perpetual motion machine. Stop the motion, and ego identity fades. The NOW remains, as does awareness, consciousness, and isness (existence, presence).
Our previous article discusses three of the ego forces involved in the cycle of ego activity.
As the image above illustrates, ego rejects the now. This can be very subtle; most things are fine, but if I adjust this simple thing, my experience will improve. So, I reject the Now with some dream or hope of a brighter future. The ego is always oriented toward the future with both feet in the past, always dreaming and hoping for something better, more real, more satisfying, more peaceful, more, more, more…
This hope results in an emotional desire. Etymology: From Middle English desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, “from the stars”) in connection with astrological hopes.
Isn’t this interesting? Desire has been in the human experience much longer than the word desire.
A Side Trip into Understanding Desire and Ego Activity
The Buddhist word for desire is “tanha” or “trishna” in Sanskrit. It refers to a specific type of craving or thirst that leads to suffering.
Tanha has three main forms:
- Kama-tanha – Craving for sense pleasures and sensual gratification through the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).
- Bhava-tanha – Craving for existence, becoming, rebirth, and continuity.
- Vibhava-tanha – Craving for non-existence, non-becoming, self-annihilation.
Tanha arises from ignorance (avijja) and is rooted in the delusion that gratifying cravings will lead to lasting happiness and satisfaction. However, according to Buddhist teachings, tanha only leads to further dissatisfaction and suffering (dukkha) as it perpetuates the cycle of rebirth.
Buddhism distinguishes tanha from chanda, which refers to a wholesome, motivating desire or aspiration, such as the desire for enlightenment, ethical conduct, or the wellbeing of others. Chanda is considered a positive force that propels one along the Buddhist path.
So in essence, tanha is the type of craving or thirst that binds one to the cycle of suffering, while chanda is the type of desire that can lead to spiritual progress and liberation.
Desire leads us to initiate action to bring our dreams into reality. When our dream is actualized, we soon discover the impermanence of our dream and desire – it only results in temporary satisfaction because the ego can imagine a better future that only needs a little more fine-tuning.
This results in a “let down,” a sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction. Which leads to an emotion, a feeling in the “moment,” a moment of NOW, which the ego can’t tolerate. So, it rejects the NOW and starts a new revolution of the cycle. Which brings us to our metaphysical laws:
- As above, so below.
- The relative is a bridge to the real.
- Nothing originates in the external.
So, what is the cycle of ego activity reflecting? What spiritual reality is it attempting to mimic?
Before we go down this rabbit hole, it would be useful to understand the Five Sacred Impulses.
Ego Activity is an Attempt to Play God
This is the key to understanding what we are discussing: I was a hidden treasure, and I wished to be known, so I created a creation (mankind), then made Myself known to them, and they recognized Me. – Wikipedia
This saying may need a little perspective for clarification, but let’s explore Creation first.
The five sacred impulses speak to the process of creation.
- I was hidden – the unmanifest
- Wished to be known – I wish
- Created a creation – I can (initiate action) – I will (sustain action)
- Made myself known – I see (perceive)
- Recognized me – I AM
The saying points out that the Absolute needs the soul, the individual consciousness, to recognize itself. Without the individual consciousness, there is no vantage point or perspective from which to view reality. To know itself, the Absolute created a universe of infinite perspectives.
Ego Activity is an Attempt at I AM
All ego activity is an attempt to be real, whole and complete, eternally satisfied and content, and at peace.
Ego activity is running in circles. It is a centrifugal force keeping us away from our center, the I AM.