EGO

• is the mind-made “I”
• is an illusion of our real self or true essence
• emerges early in life to protect us from perceived threats to survival
• identifies with form and desires
• lives in individual identity through separation from others
• lives through comparison of self to others
• is unaware of connectedness
• lives in the past or the future, rarely in the present
• is programmed through subconscious beliefs and patterns
• primarily defined by unconscious reactions
• is compulsive, repetitive and stuck in dysfunctional patterns and relationships
• seeks recognition, praise, power and attention
• confuses facts with perceptions and reactions
• imprisons and entangles itself with its belief systems and labels
• needs to control and manipulate because it does not trust; sets agendas, rules, structures

• defines boundaries
• contracts and hardens its shell for security
• values succeeding, accumulating, building
• is self-centered
• holds opinions and judges
• takes things personally, is often offended
• needs to be right
• is easily victimized
• complains, blames and feels resentful
• is concerned with self image
• seeks immediate gratification
• is not having enough, needs more of everything
• is rarely satisfied for long
• is unconscious -- do not take it personally
• gets attached to content
• is source of grievances and angst
• is image making, self seeking
• matures as we grow in awareness
• matures when we bring consciousness to our suffering
• matures with humility