The Ego Eats Grapes, the Soul Discovers the Universe
There is a great myth (?) – story from a phenomenal group-thingy (?) that I love. ZBS, has the most amazing and informative stories I have ever come across – not selling here.. pre-qualifying. In their audio-story, dreams of Bali ( I think:), one of the characters relates the story of a worm, and this worm is in a vineyard. This worm, he is addicted to eating. He eats and eats and eats. He eats grapes and vines, he eats the entire vineyard. One day he wakes up, and he has become the entire vineyard. He no longer needs to eat. He is the sky and trees and vineyard. — my rough recollected recap.
The idea this story conveys relates to the human ego. On one hand, it teaches that feeding something, even an addiction, eventually will resolve it in some way. It also teaches that we consume and devour, unconsciously. When we become Aware, and Awake, we realise we ARE everything, it is part of us, and we are part of It. This story also ties into the Andean belief of nourishing the self, in order to give from a place of fullness that does not deplete our energy. If we take in energy, and nourish ourselves, tending to our own needs and necessities, we can give from a place of fullness. I think this story also has a bit to do with the difference between denying our needs, and our Ego, versus giving the Ego what it needs and allowing it to play out its function.
Somehow, the idea of the Ego has gotten a very bad rap. We want to overcome it, transcend it, release it. That is like disowning something that we are, a part of ourselves. The Ego, it is a part of us. Why do we want to disown and deny a part of what and who we are?
By denying something, we are equally in “conflict” with it, or engaged and “dancing” with it, and thereby it continues to have even more power over us. Such was the case in the Middle Ages, with those who went to such lengths to deny the flesh, starving themselves, lashing themselves, wearing hair shirts etc. They were just as enslaved by their own flesh, and even more so, by their obsessive connection.
I was taught at one point, the Universe does not understand “negativity” or “negation” – example: If you say, I don’t want to get cancer.. all the Universe hears is the cancer: the vibration. Hence, if one wishes not to have cancer, in this example,. one should wish for good health instead.
The goal, I think, is to be at peace with the Ego. We have them, it is a fact of the human experience. Even Mother Teresa, came from a place of Ego, ultimately. Even the act of being self-less, is an act FROM self. There IS no other way to live, there is no ultimate “escape” from that truth. Being self-less fulfilled Mother Teresa. Living for the betterment of others, true. But, it fulfilled something in her soul/ soul-contract at the same time.
The goal, ultimately, is to have a self-awareness by which to assess our choices and actions. Is an action of choice coming from a place of Wound, or coming from our Source. What is the desired/ albeit often unintended, outcome-desire? Are we entering into a course of action, relationship, or choice.. only to ultimately be able to “prove” some negatively grounded truth about ourselves or the world? Do we enter into a “risky” romantic relationship, in order to ultimately show ourselves that we are “unworthy”, or that all men are mean, or some other thesis. It is hard to see these things in any one moment or experience. When we learn to look at the patterns that we perpetuate, we can learn to get an over-view.
What do we ultimately gain, or accomplish? By learning to see our patterns we can get deeper insights into our motivations, and resolve those influences that ultimately cause us harm, or do not fulfill our highest purpose. We want to learn how to release, and move forward on our soul path. Sometimes that entails releasing the present and the past. Other times, it just changes how we flow through our present, sated, rather than “hungry.” From there, we can shift into a smoother future-path with conscious choice and integrity.
Becoming aware is a bit like standing on a step-ladder. It enables us to look ahead with greater clarity, look ahead down the possible and potential paths, and CHOOSE which one we want. This is a bit like browsing through books in the bookstore. We can read the back-cover, get an idea of what might be inside, and choose the one that suits us most. This is what we do all the time, but when we are awake and aware, we do this intentionally, rather than choosing our wounded stories automatically. In this way, we are WRITING our own stories, rather than stepping into a story that has been written for us (even if it was by us, an older wounded version of us). In this way, we can create exactly the world and life that will serve us. And we realise that we ARE part of a large and wonderful Universe that is unfolding all of its secrets and mysteries, all around us, all the time.
I am an Education Specialist, Health Coach and Author. I work with aspects of the teachings I have learned from Andean shamanic and cosmology, to health, nutrition and education. Everything is energy. Energy must flow. Like water, when it does not flow, it stagnates and is not healthy. These techniques help your life to flow. I have been initiated into many of the ancient lineages and learned ceremonies, rites of passage and healing techniques. I have worked as a healer and done workshops and taught some of these aspects – passing the teachings on.
Author of:
Dancing in Your Bubble : ancient teaching, modern healing
Natural Support for Alzheimer’s
Getting a Handle on Happy : find and fix causes of stress and depression
The Naturally Smarter Kid : a parent’s guide to helping kids succeed in school and life
Cafe of the Hungry Ghosts : behind the veil of ordinary – a paranormal-ish fiction book
http://BeingHerd.com
http://repairalz.com
