What is the Ego and how does it influence our lives?
The word “ego” comes from Latin and means “I.” From a psychological and spiritual perspective, the ego is a mental structure made up of limiting beliefs, defense mechanisms, and thought patterns acquired from childhood. It is the identity we build over time, the one that seeks external validation and often prevents us from connecting with our true essence.
The ego causes us to act from ignorance, reactivity, and victimhood.
Phrases such as:
- “I am successful and admired”
- “It’s important to be right”
- “To love and be loved is the most important thing in life”
- “I don’t like you because you treat me badly”
Are symptoms of its influence on our beliefs and emotions.
However, the ego is neither good nor bad; it is simply a mechanism that helps us transition from ignorance to wisdom. It allows us to see the shadows we must transcend in order to reach a higher level of consciousness.
From Ego to Wisdom: The Path of Transformation
Gerardo Schmedling explains that we cannot reach the truth without first experiencing the ego. To discern what is real, we must first contrast it with what is not.
The process of transcending the ego involves:
Observing our reactions:
Becoming aware of how we respond to everyday situations.
Questioning our beliefs:
Asking ourselves whether our opinions come from fear or love.
Accepting our shadows:
Recognizing and working on the parts of ourselves that generate suffering.
Practicing mindfulness:
Living in the present and observing our emotions without judgment.
As Graciela Large de la Hoz writes in The Consciousness of the Self:
“Attention, presence, and awareness are elements of awakening. Their absence leads us to repeat experiences and disconnect from our essence.”
Strategies to Transcend the Ego
Transcending the ego is a demanding yet deeply transformative journey. Here are some essential keys to begin the process:
Discipline and commitment:
It requires will and consistency. Transformation does not occur without personal effort. The ego resists, but it is through daily practice that consciousness is cultivated.
Saturation and letting go of old systems:
True change arises after saturation—when we deeply understand, through experience, that our ego-based strategies no longer work. That is when we open ourselves to questioning our beliefs and seeking a new way of living.
Analyzing results:
Consciously analyzing the results we are getting in our lives is a key tool. What is my reality showing me? What do I need to adjust in my way of thinking or acting? Understanding is born from clearly observing the effects.
Observing without judgment:
Every time something shows up in our life, it is an opportunity to observe ourselves. What is surfacing in me in response to this situation? What can I learn about myself? Compassionate curiosity opens the door to authentic transformation.
Recognizing ignorance:
Ignorance is not a lack of intelligence, but of awareness about what would actually benefit us. Every unsatisfactory result hides a layer of ignorance that we can illuminate with understanding.
Self-knowledge:
Getting to know ourselves is the key to transcending the ego. The more we know ourselves, the better we understand the mechanisms that limit us—and the greater our freedom to choose how to respond.
Conclusion: Freedom Lies in Consciousness
Transcending the ego does not mean eliminating it, but understanding its function and learning to manage it. The more present we are in our lives, the less power the ego has over us.
As Gabriel Castro said:
“Everything in your life—you allowed it, you desired it… or you created it yourself.”
Reflect on how much of your reality is shaped by the ego and how much by your true essence. Only when we stop feeding it can we find peace and inner freedom.
Have you identified any ego patterns in your life? Share your experience in the comments and let’s grow together.