Just As We Are

​There is no way to annihilate the ego, nor should we strive to. There is only one way to loosen its grip upon us, by tapping into the most powerful "virtue" of all, compassion. We can cultivate compassion for the ego because it is so insecure, rooted in fear; compassion for others because they are struggling with their egos just as we are; compassion for ourself because, in our humanness, we will fall prey to the ego again and again. It is inevitable that this will happen. The ego holds the blueprint for what it means to be a human being. We cannot exist in a body without it.
 
The practice of mindfulness can help us notice when the ego is present; we can see it clearly for what it is—an ego. The practice of compassion enables us to let go of any self-negating feelings we may have about getting "caught" or stuck in ego once again. Compassion invites us to love ourself as we are, then to aim higher so we make the wisest of choices.

​©2025, Janice L. Lundy