Being aware of your own ego

Very unconscious people
experience their own ego
through its reflections in others.
When you realize that what you
react to in others is also in you
(and sometimes only in you),
you begin to become
aware of your own ego.


Eckhart Tolle

EGO has two sides the creative and degenerative. The moment we think in terms of I and Mine, it is degenerative, but the moment we realize the I is WE and think in terms of US, it is creative.,

The ego... what just came to my mind, and I may not explain it well. If we believe we are on a different spiritual plane, or "in a better place spiritually" - doesn't that imply that we feel higher than someone? therefore ego comes into play.... I guess it is a fine line, being proud and being egotistical....

Good point Shan! I guess a good baseline is whether the thought was created from unconditional love or a limiting belief. Unconditional love has no need for comparisons or judgments, whereas ego does. Unconditional love is spiritual whereas ego is a creation of the human mind.

It is also interesting.... ego comes into play in such sneaky ways sometimes. For instance, one gives, give and gives. Does whatever they can for someone, although sometimes making mistakes or forgetting things, but they try. They may not get appreciated and then one day the giver realizes that they deserve some time, to not give.... does this realization make them egotistical, because they believe they are deserved too??? Its interesting. I guess the original post is to "beware of your ego" and I guess if people stop and take notice of their ego then they are realizing something is amuck..... hmmmmm....
just rambling....... really

Rambling is good...helps us explore our thoughts. Ego is the selfish craver of wants, not a seeker of needs exclusively. The situation you described speaks to me of a need and not an ego-based reaction. Ego often leads us to block out the needs of others so as to serve only what we want. Realising that you are a giver who is not having your needs met is not selfish - it is called being self-aware. If you act on that thought to get your needs met, that is self-nurturing and an act of love, not ego. Well, that's my opinion anyway