Metaphysical Monday: Ego

Ego. That over-arching sense of “I” we all have to one extent of another. It can be a good thing, keeping us from always forgoing what we want and being pushed around by others, but it can also be a bad thing, making you forget you place in the world and leading you to look down on others.

In the metaphysical world, that line between good and bad when it comes to Ego is even more of a double-edged sword.

Many a mage, from the fictional Faust to the all-too-human members of The Golden Dawn, has come to a tragic end because of his Ego. It is so easy to think that we are better than others just because of the path we walk. It is so easy to think that we are gods among men when we believe we can bend the energy around us to our will.

The trap is simple and sweet.

We all want to be special.

Our Egos enjoy being fed and stroked. They will grow to enormous size. But giant Egos require more feeding and more stroking to remain positive. It is a part of us that will gleefully consume the rest given half a chance.

Arrogance and Pride can bring even the most overtly positive magickal working into dark territory. Our subconscious desires twist and pervert the energies we have learned to wield. Our own minds begin to believe that our way is the best way–nay, the only way–and everyone would be better off if they followed our example. Suddenly the enlightened self-interest we should all strive for is reflected in a fun house mirror and turned into a drive to dominate “for their own good.”

Even worse, it all seems like such a good idea.

That is the temptation we all must face. It is one of the dark spots that everyone passes through. But for those on a metaphysical path, for those who seek out the edges of experience and hidden secrets of the Universe, it is a near constant struggle. After all, it does take at least a small amount of arrogance to think that you can understand the Universe to begin with, right?

Those on metaphysical paths must always maintain their grounding. Even if they need to spend time in seclusion, cloistered away among other seekers or perched high atop a mountain, it is ever important that they return again to the “normal” people–the people they ultimately serve. They must have their Egos pruned, cutting away the overgrowth so the core can grow strong, shaping what remains.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Because of that, some excel in areas where others fall. There are few, if any, true gods among men. No matter how grand we thing we are, the Universe–and the laws that maintain that oh-so-constant dynamic equilibrium–will always put us back in our place.

We can manage our Egos in the best possible way, using the strength and determination they provide to grow smartly and to bring others with us.