There’s a common notion that Tibetan Buddhism, in its simplest form, is a battle – to the death — between our ‘true’ (i.e., wisest) self and our Ego.
Our wisest self-wishes to evolve, blossom and be free . . . the Ego likes things just the way they are, under its control . . . and then creates desires and schemes to make them materially more or better.
Consider: It is the Ego’s role to take care of business in the material world, for this, it is a much-needed and depended-upon tool.
But there are other realities that exist and extend far beyond the material world, and this is where our Ego runs us into trouble.
***
Buddhism doesn’t seek to destroy the Ego, to smash it into smithereens or banish it from the kingdom of mind.
Rather, our ways seek to reduce its overwhelming, always jumping into “me first” selfish overbearance.
In the Buddhist curriculum, we strive to make our Ego trim and healthy, to have it sharpened and ready to go when needed, but only so under the guidance of our inner wisdom, understandings, compassion, etc.
In simple terms, we work not to wound or kill, but rather to allow ‘Master’ Ego to evolve into the role of ‘Servant’ Ego.
***
This is a challenging path — gnarly, full of mindlessly obsessive “me” “us” and “my” habits and perspectives.
After all, Ego has been leading the way for so very long, knows all our buttons and how to most effectively push them (of course, it created them).
But the challenge is one worthy of our acceptance and begins quite simply.
We begin navigating this path with understanding, which arises with quieting down, studying, watching and contemplating what, in our increasing clarity, is becoming visible to us.
~Neither grief or a broken heart, or fear, precludes us from doing this.