@Reconstructo,
Reconstructo,
I see the ego rather as an ambassador (constructed out of the need to adapt) to the outside world. The King in this kingdom, (our life), is a more subjective, or inner Self. Sure the ego calls himself, “Me,” and considers himself to be the king. But, the ego is a thief.
“Technology of morale,” is both interesting and new to me. Could you elucidate further?
Jung is great, too, esp. the whole idea about archetypes. I feel that I can actually point to the one that has had a major hand in my life. I have often seen myself to be the puppet whose strings were controlled by this archetype. It held the controlling interest in how my time on this ‘great blue marble’ would be spent.
“Meta-ideal” sounds fruitful of meaning. Once again may I ask you to elucidate? (As I am very interested in spiritual evolution.)
Ego would spontaneously adapt to experience/circumstance, as any efficient ambassador must. Less than that is coined mental illness, is it not?
It is because any fulfillment, or success, in the area of bodily lusts is only temporary, that we grow tired (with time) of disappointments, that we often turn to other more promising things. It often takes a good deal of our youth before we actually see this pattern for what it is.
I agree with you in this. There does seem to be something that it drawing us to surmount our present ideas of who and what we are. We are both pulled by this mysterious force, and pushed by dissatisfaction to surmount our selves. I believe that Wittgenstein in his later years touch on this, but considered it beyond our ability to speak of in any totally correct manner, giving the incapacity of both our dualistic language and mind.
Creativity is certainly spontaneous, but than Alan Watts said late in life (with a laugh) that everything is. I also wonder if creativity doesn’t flow through us like a river (Very Taoist), and that we are not the doer of these things? (Very Hindu [Bhagavad Gita, “You are not the doer. You only dream that you do these things”])
The ego is divided up into different parts, for efficiency, and our child self is certainly one of these parts. To often, this is a neglected child.
These different parts constantly leak, or echo, back and forth into each other, (a symbiosis or sorts) both influencing and motivating. We may divide ourselves up into these strict roles, because of the demands that we put upon our selves (to succeed and to progress) in the time that is allotted. But, when we deny any part of our ego self, we are also denying our self the wholeness of response to life, and any depth of intimacy with our self. We are closing doors. This is of course a big old root in our personal dissatisfaction with life.
We often use creativity to rediscover these lost parts of our self.
There is nothing wrong with ‘strutting across the stage like a little king,’ if that is your fun. Best to pick a game that rings your bell and do it well. Isn’t that the bricks of actualization? But, also seeing the joke in this is therapeutic and keeps your feet on the ground.
“The world is a stage, and each must play his part.”
I see man as a multiple dimensional creature. The Chinese (I Ching) claims that we live in 3 worlds simultaneously, and must fulfill all 3 of these worlds at once in order to be whole (or satisfied). Heaven (spirit) is one, Earth (practicality) is another, and dead center between the two is a more neutral observer or witness. It is said that a wise man deals with all 3 worlds while standing in this middle.
This “Middle Way” (very Buddhist) keeps us from falling into what might manifest like a roller-coastal ride, with all of its ups and downs.
Looking forward to your reply,
S9
