Ego

   Our mind creates all. Thoughts generate all of this world we see. That being said, your ego can disappear.  This moment will pass away, and then something new is real, and the past moment ceases to exist, as so can your ego. In the continual stream of life, death, and rebirth, ego withers away.

  As discussed before in previous posts here, suffering is one of the 4 noble truths.  Also as mentioned before in previous posts to end one's suffering you must let go of desires. By letting go of your desires means ultimately ridding yourself of your ego. Where altruism rises the self falls, as there is no place for ego in Buddhism. The world is like a flicker, moments in time very few see. Ego will perish as you delve into selflessness.

   A cornerstone in Buddhism is the belief that you are the same as everyone else, be it man, woman, animal, plant or anything else. The belief in reincarnation is the glue that binds this universal equality. If we were once a tree or fox or are to be a blue Jay then how can we be better than anything else? It is this core belief that proves an ego must not exist if we are to become free from suffering and know enlightenment, to be free from suffering and worldly desires. Only then will the ego vanish.

   Does that mean the soul is the same as an ego? In a sense this may be true, but one must realize that a soul does not exist in you or anything. If we are interchangeable amongst life forms, then the notion of a soul is a falsehood. You see, an ego is just like that. Do not believe that an ego has any place in an enlightened one, as you are destined to be. It's not something to be altered, but something to be eradicated.  Give your ego no name, pay it no heed and you will understand how an ego has no place in you or this world.

  The mind creates all, our image and vision of this place, the forever broken world. The struggle of life is eternal, relentless, and never ending. Ego is the great blamer, forever judging. What will you be next? A grudging elite, or someone who is content wherever and whatever they may be. I do not know what I will be in the next life, but I know this. The only one who can hold myself back is my mind and it's nature. When I control it, give into selflessness and develop mindfulness, my ego will go into oblivion. I will never fall from my place, if only I can discard this world's notions.

 In closing I will give a contrasting example. For the laws of yin and yang control my form. If I act like a greedy ghost I will be hated. If I discard my self and swear servitude to all I will rise. (Both yin and yang and servitude were explored in previous posts.) Ego is your obstacle, may you find a way around it forever so you may be truly free.