A lot of us have been doing work on ourselves for a long time. Some may be getting a fresher start on what is commonly known as dissolving ego limitations, ego deconstruction, selflessness, etc. There are many names and a long history of approaches and definitions. The goal being the same in many traditions and methodologies. We are also always being humbled by the everyday challenges of our path and knowing that until all of the planets inhabitants are experiencing abundance and peace, our work is never done.
A key to this personal discovery was learning more about healing trauma and gaining the tools in order to access trauma stored in the mind, body, and spirit. I noticed for the first time in my life a healing within myself that no “spiritual” technique has been able to access thus far in my 20 or so years in awakening, personal reflection, and service work.
The truth that settled into my being is the embodied awareness that-
"If we are still perceiving and referencing ourselves or others as "ego" in a negative sense, then we are unable to see and have compassion for the trauma in ourselves and others.”
The experience that now lives in my being is-
“What I used to perceive as "ego" (in the negative sense), now allows me to maintain compassion for another’s trauma or inspires me to be sure to take the time and necessary steps to look into and heal the trauma within myself.”
This awareness however is not meant to keep us from healthy boundaries and speaking up when necessary. It doesn't help anyone if we allow ourselves to be someone's else's doormat or if we do not speak up in the face of any injustices or hypocrisy. Especially in leadership and stewardship roles within our communities.
This shift in consciousness allows us to lift the veil of illusion that we called ego (in the negative sense). Even letting it go from our vocabulary as it is not actually “real” or the deepest root aspect of what we are perceiving.
What I am now encountering along with this realization is the projection and amplified pain responses in others and myself. Imagine now how uncomfortable one might feel that you (especially empathic individuals) can see through to an even deeper level of their own trauma and defenses. This may not make others feel so comfortable around you, or just the opposite as you embody a whole new level of compassion for all.
Think about how much you hear the word “ego” in “spiritual” circles? My personal favorite is “spiritual ego”. As if there is anything “spiritual” about it. Our own unconscious defenses are clever beyond belief. Even having the capacity to fool ourselves.
My awareness now shifts every time I hear the word “ego” to either find compassion for others or to explore my own pain and trauma.
We may find ourselves in a group of people who have been doing their inner work for a long time projecting that you are actually "defending your ego” even more as you try to explain to them-
“I hear what you are saying about the ‘ego defenses‘. I am however talking about something else. I am saying, "that if we are even perceiving 'ego (in a negative sense)' we are not truly seeing to the depth of the matter at hand.”
In that case I am not defending what one may perceive as ego. I am asking you to explore the possibility that even the perception of “ego (in the negative sense)” itself is a divisive illusion. Alienating you from yourself or others. Think about how our lives might change and how much more room for love, compassion and patience would open up if at any time the word “ego” or perception of it comes up, our awareness shifts to healing, holding space, and compassion for ourselves and others for all the trauma we have endured.
This is no way means an end to boundaries or allowing what we used to perceive as ego within ourselves or others to allow harm in any way. It is actually a new way to step even further into service, self care, and compassion, while still maintaining our sovereignty and healthy boundaries.
My love and gratitude to you all,
Sean Kehoe
A key to this personal discovery was learning more about healing trauma and gaining the tools in order to access trauma stored in the mind, body, and spirit. I noticed for the first time in my life a healing within myself that no “spiritual” technique has been able to access thus far in my 20 or so years in awakening, personal reflection, and service work.
The truth that settled into my being is the embodied awareness that-
"If we are still perceiving and referencing ourselves or others as "ego" in a negative sense, then we are unable to see and have compassion for the trauma in ourselves and others.”
The experience that now lives in my being is-
“What I used to perceive as "ego" (in the negative sense), now allows me to maintain compassion for another’s trauma or inspires me to be sure to take the time and necessary steps to look into and heal the trauma within myself.”
This awareness however is not meant to keep us from healthy boundaries and speaking up when necessary. It doesn't help anyone if we allow ourselves to be someone's else's doormat or if we do not speak up in the face of any injustices or hypocrisy. Especially in leadership and stewardship roles within our communities.
This shift in consciousness allows us to lift the veil of illusion that we called ego (in the negative sense). Even letting it go from our vocabulary as it is not actually “real” or the deepest root aspect of what we are perceiving.
What I am now encountering along with this realization is the projection and amplified pain responses in others and myself. Imagine now how uncomfortable one might feel that you (especially empathic individuals) can see through to an even deeper level of their own trauma and defenses. This may not make others feel so comfortable around you, or just the opposite as you embody a whole new level of compassion for all.
Think about how much you hear the word “ego” in “spiritual” circles? My personal favorite is “spiritual ego”. As if there is anything “spiritual” about it. Our own unconscious defenses are clever beyond belief. Even having the capacity to fool ourselves.
My awareness now shifts every time I hear the word “ego” to either find compassion for others or to explore my own pain and trauma.
We may find ourselves in a group of people who have been doing their inner work for a long time projecting that you are actually "defending your ego” even more as you try to explain to them-
“I hear what you are saying about the ‘ego defenses‘. I am however talking about something else. I am saying, "that if we are even perceiving 'ego (in a negative sense)' we are not truly seeing to the depth of the matter at hand.”
In that case I am not defending what one may perceive as ego. I am asking you to explore the possibility that even the perception of “ego (in the negative sense)” itself is a divisive illusion. Alienating you from yourself or others. Think about how our lives might change and how much more room for love, compassion and patience would open up if at any time the word “ego” or perception of it comes up, our awareness shifts to healing, holding space, and compassion for ourselves and others for all the trauma we have endured.
This is no way means an end to boundaries or allowing what we used to perceive as ego within ourselves or others to allow harm in any way. It is actually a new way to step even further into service, self care, and compassion, while still maintaining our sovereignty and healthy boundaries.
My love and gratitude to you all,
Sean Kehoe