You should notice your ego and keep it in-check, but what about a person with negative self-image. How do you build a healthy ego?
Why do we have an ego?
- Our identity learns from comparisons which results in formation of one’s ego.
- Sense of identity among people makes social interactions efficient.
- It’s a feature of the mind. It’s neither good nor bad.
Ego inflation: due to social media as we have more things for comparison.
Function of the ego
The ego protects us from negative emotions like shame, fear etc.
- Case 1: Positive self-image: By devaluing those who hurt us, we make ourselves feel better.
- Case 2: Negative self-image: By devaluing ourselves, we avoid situations that might hurt us.
“The ego is the master of COPIUM.” — Dr. K, 2022
(related: How do we learn?)
Building a healthy ego
A big ego might use humor and “facts” as self-defense. To build a healthy ego, prevent your ego from becoming big.
- Comparison feeds the ego:
- Limited your comparison by noticing your ego.
- By spending time in nature, you also spend time with yourself.
- Learn to tolerate:
- The more we avoid negative emotions, the more egotistic we become.
- Egotistic people have very low tolerance to negative emotions.
Meditation
Three major pillars of mind are manas (emotion), ahamkara (ego), buddhi (intellect).
- the ego and the self are seperate.
- understand what’s permanent and fluctuating.
- know the parts of life that is dictated by your thoughts, emotions or something else.
- recognise the limits of ego.
Source: Can You Have a Healthy Ego?