Ego Is the Agency of Creativity

Rupert Spira
28 Jul 201706:52

Summary

TLDRThe script delves into the concept of ego in spiritual contexts, suggesting that the ego is not inherently evil but a necessary mechanism for consciousness to experience the world. It posits that consciousness, being infinite, can only perceive the world through a finite mind, creating a subject-object duality. The problem arises when the ego forgets its origin and believes in its separate existence, leading to a sense of disconnection. The key is not to annihilate the ego but to dissolve the belief in separateness, allowing the ego to act as an expression of unity and interconnectedness.

Takeaways

  • 🌌 Infinite consciousness can only know itself; it cannot directly know something other than itself without the finite mind.
  • 🌏 Consciousness is suggested to dream the world into existence and simultaneously experience it through a finite mind, creating a subject-object relationship.
  • 🧠 The ego, or finite mind, is not inherently evil but is the necessary mechanism for experiencing objective reality.
  • πŸ”„ The problem arises when the ego forgets its origin as a modulation of infinite consciousness and believes in its own separate existence.
  • 🚫 The goal is not to annihilate the ego but to transform our relationship with it, recognizing that it is not a separate entity.
  • πŸ’‘ The ego, when not burdened by the belief in separateness, can continue to function as an instrument of creativity and manifestation.
  • 🌱 The transformation involves removing the belief and feelings of being a separate finite entity from the ego's repertoire.
  • 🌟 With the removal of separation beliefs, the ego acts and relates not for a separate self but for the inherent peace, intelligence, and love.
  • πŸ”„ The process is about the ego's evolution from a sense of separation to an expression of unity with infinite consciousness.
  • πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ Spiritual practices may aim to help individuals recognize the illusory nature of the separate self and reconnect with their true essence.

Q & A

  • What is the relationship between consciousness and the ego according to the script?

    -The script suggests that consciousness, being infinite, can only know itself. It dreams the world into existence and enters its own imagination as a separate subject of experience, which is the ego. The ego is the finite mind through which objective experience is known.

  • Why is the ego considered necessary for manifestation?

    -Manifestation implies duality and is always known in a subject-object relationship. The ego serves as the separate subject of experience through which the objective world is perceived and known.

  • What is the problem with the ego as described in the script?

    -The issue arises when the ego, or finite mind, forgets that it is a modulation of infinite consciousness and believes in its own separate existence. This belief leads to feelings of separation and a problematic sense of self.

  • How does the script differentiate between the ego as an activity and as an entity?

    -As an agency or activity, the ego is the means of creativity and manifestation, which is not problematic. It becomes problematic when it is perceived as a separate entity, distinct from all others and everything else.

  • What is the significance of the ego's belief in its own separate existence?

    -This belief leads to a sense of separation from others and objects, which generates feelings and activities that are not aligned with the true nature of consciousness. It's this separation that is seen as the problem.

  • Why is it not beneficial to get rid of the ego completely?

    -Eliminating the ego would leave only infinite consciousness, with no world or manifestation. The goal is not to destroy the ego but to transform its relationship to itself and to others.

  • What is the goal in terms of the ego's transformation as per the script?

    -The goal is to remove the belief and feeling of being a separate finite entity from the ego's repertoire, allowing it to continue to act and relate without the sense of separation.

  • How does the script define the ego-free state?

    -In an ego-free state, the ego continues to function but without the belief in its own independent existence. It acts and relates on behalf of the inherent peace, intelligence, and love in its essence.

  • What role does the finite mind play in the ego-free state?

    -In the ego-free state, the finite mind continues to think, feel, act, relate, and perceive, but it does so without the beliefs and feelings of separateness.

  • How does the script relate the ego to the concept of creativity?

    -The script posits that the ego, as an agency or activity, is essential for creativity and manifestation. It is only when it becomes a separate self that it becomes problematic.

Outlines

00:00

🌌 The Ego as a Mechanism of Manifestation

This paragraph delves into the concept of ego within the framework of spiritual and philosophical discourse. It suggests that the ego, or finite mind, is not inherently evil but a necessary mechanism for consciousness to experience the world. The ego allows infinite consciousness to perceive the world through a subjective lens, creating a duality between the subject and the object of experience. The paragraph emphasizes that the ego is not a problem in itself but becomes so when it forgets its true nature as an extension of infinite consciousness and starts believing in its separate existence. This belief leads to a sense of separation and the generation of problematic feelings and behaviors.

05:01

πŸ” Redefining the Ego: From Separation to Unity

The second paragraph continues the exploration of the ego, focusing on the importance of the relationship with the ego and its self-perception. It posits that the goal is not to eliminate the ego but to transform our understanding of it. By removing the belief in the ego's separate existence and the feelings of separation from others and the world, the ego can continue to function without the burden of a separate self. This transformation allows the individual to act and relate not from a place of separateness but from a place of unity, embodying peace, intelligence, and love that are inherent in the true nature of consciousness.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Ego

In the context of the video, 'ego' refers to the sense of self or the separate self. It is considered the mechanism through which consciousness experiences the world as an individual. The ego is not inherently problematic; rather, it becomes an issue when it forgets its nature as a part of infinite consciousness and believes in its own separate existence. This leads to feelings of separation and a problematic sense of self. The script discusses the importance of understanding the ego not as an entity to be destroyed but as a perspective to be transformed.

πŸ’‘Consciousness

Consciousness in the video is described as infinite and indivisible, capable of knowing only itself. It is the underlying reality from which all experiences and manifestations arise. The video suggests that consciousness dreams the world into existence and then experiences it through the finite mind or ego. The transformation of consciousness is central to the video's message, emphasizing the shift from a limited to an expanded awareness.

πŸ’‘Manifestation

Manifestation, as used in the script, refers to the process by which the infinite consciousness creates and experiences the world. It implies a dualistic experience where there is a subject (the ego) and an object (the world). The video explains that for consciousness to experience something other than itself, it must do so through the lens of a finite mind, thus creating the subject-object relationship necessary for manifestation.

πŸ’‘Duality

Duality is a key concept in the video, representing the division of reality into two parts: subject and object. This concept is central to the discussion of how consciousness experiences the world. The video suggests that manifestation is always known in a subject-object relationship, which is a fundamental aspect of the ego's experience of reality.

πŸ’‘Finite Mind

The 'finite mind' is the term used in the video to describe the ego or the separate self that experiences the world as an individual. It is the part of consciousness that believes in its own separate existence. The video emphasizes that the finite mind is not a mistake but a necessary aspect of the creative process, provided it does not forget its true nature as an expression of infinite consciousness.

πŸ’‘Separation

Separation in the video script refers to the feeling or belief of being distinct from everything else, which arises when the ego forgets its unity with infinite consciousness. This sense of separation is what leads to problems, as it generates beliefs and feelings that are not aligned with the true nature of reality. The video suggests that overcoming this sense of separation is crucial for spiritual growth.

πŸ’‘Creativity

Creativity in the video is linked to the ego or the finite mind as the agency through which consciousness creates and experiences the world. It is not the ego itself that is the problem, but rather the belief in separation that can distort creative expression. The video suggests that when the ego is free from the sense of separation, it can continue to create and relate in a way that reflects the true nature of consciousness.

πŸ’‘Belief

Belief, as discussed in the video, plays a significant role in shaping the ego's experience of reality. The problematic beliefs are those that reinforce the sense of separation and the illusion of an independent ego. The video emphasizes the importance of transforming these beliefs to align with the understanding that the ego is an expression of infinite consciousness.

πŸ’‘Transformation

Transformation in the video refers to the process of changing one's relationship to the ego and the beliefs that support the sense of separation. It is not about annihilating the ego but about shifting the perspective to recognize the ego as part of the infinite consciousness. This transformation allows for a more harmonious and aligned way of experiencing and interacting with the world.

πŸ’‘Infinite Consciousness

Infinite consciousness is presented in the video as the underlying reality that is indivisible and all-encompassing. It is the source from which the finite mind or ego arises and through which the world is experienced. The video suggests that recognizing the true nature of infinite consciousness is essential for spiritual awakening and overcoming the limitations imposed by the ego.

πŸ’‘Subject-Object Relationship

The subject-object relationship is a fundamental concept in the video, describing how the ego experiences the world. It is the basis for the duality that is inherent in manifestation. The video explains that even in a dream, the dreamer experiences the dream from the perspective of a subject within the dream, creating a division between the subject and the object of experience.

Highlights

Infinite consciousness can only know itself.

Consciousness dreams the world into existence within itself.

Manifestation implies duality and is known in a subject-object relationship.

The ego is the mechanism through which objective experience is known.

The ego is not a mistake but the agency of creativity and manifestation.

Problems arise when the ego believes in its own separate existence.

The ego, as a separate self, becomes problematic when it forgets its origin.

The ego's activities are not the problem; it's our relationship to it that matters.

The goal is not to eliminate the ego but to alter its relationship to itself.

The ego should be free from the sense of separation from all objects and others.

Without the belief in separation, the ego acts and relates on behalf of inherent peace and intelligence.

Consciousness enters its own imagination as a separate subject to perceive the world.

The ego is necessary for the experience of a world separate from consciousness itself.

The belief in the ego's independent existence leads to feelings of separation.

The removal of the belief in separation allows for a different experience of the ego.

The ego, when not bound by separation, expresses the essence of love and intelligence.

The finite mind continues to function without the belief in its own independent existence.

The transformation of the ego is about changing its self-perception rather than its existence.

Transcripts

play00:00

let's explore first then your question

play00:04

about the the econ which as you rightly

play00:09

say in spiritual circles in general and

play00:14

in some versions of the pedantic and

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Buddhist paths is considered an evil

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that is to be annihilated so the ego is

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let's let's start with consciousness do

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you understand that infinite

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consciousness can only know infinite

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consciousness that the infinite can only

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know the infinite okay consciousness

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being infinite can only know its itself

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therefore if consciousness wants to know

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something that is seemingly other than

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itself like objective experience

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manifestation the world it cannot know

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it directly it has to know it through

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the agency of a finite mind just as Mary

play01:45

that falls asleep in Amsterdam can only

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know the streets of London from Jane's

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point of view therefore consciousness

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what I'm suggesting and many others

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before me have suggested is that

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consciousness as it were dreams the

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world into existence within itself but

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simultaneously enters its own

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imagination as a separate subject of

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experience from whose point of view it

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is able to know or perceive that world

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in other words manifestation implies

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duality manifestation is always known in

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subject object relationship just as when

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you dream of a Caribbean beach at night

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you don't just see a Caribbean beach in

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your own mind you have to forget your

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own mind and you have to enter your own

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dream and view the Caribbean beach from

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the point of view of someone on the

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Caribbean beach so even in a dream

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although the entire dream is made out of

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your own mind the dream seems to be

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divided into a subject that knows and

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the Caribbean Beach that is known so

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this subject object relationship is the

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agency of manifestation it is the

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through which a manifestation or

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objective experience is known now that

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what is called the ego or the separate

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self or the finite mind is the separate

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subject of experience through whom

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objective experience is known so the ego

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is not a mistake the ego is the

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mechanism or the activity or the agency

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through which manifestation takes place

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so can it be said that you know Julia is

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the egoic expression can I can I just

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finish what I'm saying and then you can

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come back to me because I want to say

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one other thing

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the ego isn't the ego the finite mind or

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the separate self is not by itself a

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problem as I said it is the agency of

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creativity however what is a problem is

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when this ego finite mind or separate

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self forgets that it is a modulation of

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infinite indivisible consciousness and

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believes in its own separate existence

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as soon as this belief takes place and

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the subsequent feelings that are

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generated from this belief the ego is

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now no longer an activity of

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consciousness the agency of

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manifestation it has become a separate

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self that feels itself to be distinct

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from everyone and everything else so as

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an entity the ego is problematic as an

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agency or activity it is the means of

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creativity or manifestation so it is not

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the ego by itself that is a problem it

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is our relationship to it or its

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relationship to itself so what is in and

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what is important is not to get rid of

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the ego of finite mind because all that

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remains then is infinite consciousness

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there's no world left

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- no then what is what is important is

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that the belief and the feeling and the

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subsequent activities in relationship

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that proceed from those beliefs and

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feelings the beliefs and feelings of

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being a separate finite entity are

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removed from the repertoire of the

play05:49

finite mind the finite mind continues to

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think it continues to feel it continues

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to act relate and perceive but all that

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has been removed in the is the belief in

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its own independent existence and

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therefore the belief and feeling that it

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is separate from all objects and others

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so with that belief and feeling removed

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all the activities and relationships

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that were attendant on those beliefs and

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things also in time dissipate and the

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ego free from the sense of separation

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then becomes continues to to act and

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relate but but such a person acts and

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relates not on behalf of a separate self

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but on behalf of the the peace the

play06:39

intelligence the love that is inherent

play06:43

in its essence

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Related Tags
ConsciousnessEgoManifestationSpiritualityMindCreativitySeparationEnlightenmentSelf-RealizationExistentialism