The balance between confidence and arrogance teeters on intention of the ego. Through intertwinement between one’s conscience and their unconscious the ego engenders a sense of self, developing portions of personality and the respect it believes it deserves. The ego draws attention towards what it wants out of a particular predicament. As the conscious weighs the morality of action the ego seeks to reap individual benefits with questionable conduct routinely condoned for the sake of pleasure or advancement.
While the ego helps perpetuate self-efficacy it often delves into the realm of vanity, an inkling of entitlement induced by a yearning to be recognized and adhered to. The ego can assist people in constructing their sense of self, yet an unchecked ego has the ability to beguile individuals and dictate their behaviour.
The Ego’s Eye
The ego is a manifestation of the mind begotten from an individual’s innate personality, upbringing, society, social network and sense of self. Seamless and agile, it weaves through thoughts often without people recognising interlocutor. The glasshouse of social constructs fertilises the ego into craving appreciation for a defining attribute be it a name, skill, trait, tribe, ideology, desiring to hear its existence through relevance in the world.
There’s a need within the ego to prove itself. It is a habitual inducer of bold behaviour. Instead of loitering in content, a longing to be told of its aptitude urges the body to showcase an individual’s endowments. The inebriated self often resembles the ego, in particular, under the influence of alcohol as the dispersion of liquid courage galvanizes flamboyant action.
The ego surges confidence and ushers in an eagerness to attempt, prompting individuals to extend themselves into new environments. However, when pampered to excess, it occupies a greater jurisdiction of the mind often ignoring integrity. At times it can be auspicious to be strategically selfish, but intentional harm for personal gain can never be morally justified.
The ego fosters beliefs and we must be wary to not let it disable the appreciation of differing views. To understand with depth our personal philosophy a wide range of opinions need be examined.
Ideologies are identifying factors the ego enjoys strapping onto as they involve a structure endorsed by others, a structure in which it can be applauded for the right response. By quelling the desire for external acclaim objectivity can help suppress the ego’s predilection for praise. One needn’t become heretic of admiration, rather conscious of it’s ability to seduce.
Self-Efficacy Vs. Vanity
No matter how brilliant an individual may be, if they are insufferable to be around people will only remember their obnoxiousness. If someone is good at something there is no need to personally express their aptitude, others will claim it for them.
The ego seesaws between the regions of self-efficacy and vanity. Self-efficacy constructs confidence and spurs personal growth, providing strength to pursue ambition and preserve through adversity. Vanity endorses individual saliency misconstruing one’s position in reality. It’s self-indulgence with potential to isolate oneself from their environment.
When events are falling in favour the ego often lures individuals to believe they’re more deserving of fortune than others, enlarging hubris and indenting on their personal pride. Once achievement is attained, however, the next contest materializes.
Life has a continuation of challenges waiting for us all. If thought is centered on how deserving we are of something we are misusing the energy required for accomplishment. Goals are essential to keep us orientating towards our ambitions. Achievement is enriching, although one should be conscious to embody humbleness. Praise the effort but not indulge the result.
Meditation is a practical tool for subduing the ego. In temporarily dropping thought the mind can be unfettered from assumed authority and learn to just be, realigning with the flow of breathe and truer self. Self-depreciation is also a great way to limit the ego’s influence over our disposition. By laughing at ourselves we get a vivid glimpse at how we and the events around us are not so important that a good slice of humour cannot decrease their seriousness.
When megalomaniacal tendencies arise helping others can show how power is best used to assist those in need. Volunteering is an investment both pleasuring to the ego and authentic in satisfaction.
An individual is not their ego yet the ego can become the individual. While it may usher people towards whom they will become, it must be prevented from defining who they are. When one makes love with their ego the offspring metastasize in the mind, conjuring false perceptions and inhibiting true observation of reality. It’s difficult to be aware when the ego is present but by helping others, laughing at oneself and practicing a certain amount of mindfulness, one can avoid being captured by its charisma.
Image source: Jacob Burns Film Center
The Contemporary Human 