249-Reflections on the Ego- Buddhism in daily life

Reflections on the Ego

What's the point?

I recently had a conversation with a very nice man, we have known each other for some time but have never really spoken. I'll call him Charly here.

Charly has depression, therefore hardly comes out of the house, buries himself, has good and bad days.

Medicine, he said, can't really help him.

Charly has lost his job because of his illness, has few human contacts.

While we were talking, I thought about what I could do for him, how I could support him. I like Charly very much, he has a very pleasant manner, is a really good guy. His charisma is warm, his voice soft and pleasant.

He talked about his mother's depression, how he didn't understand her before, whether the illness was perhaps hereditary, or whether possibly sick parents raise sick children.

I was very touched by his inner resistance, his lack of self-worth, his brokenness. I was also touched by the way Charly opened up to me, trusted me.

I asked him if he was a believer, if he had "support. He said he was a Christian. I asked if he was also interested in Buddhism. Yes, he replied, meditation makes him feel good, but he often does not have the "drive" to do the exercises.

I asked if he had ever dealt with "awakening". Yes, he had, but he was afraid of it, the subject was too difficult for him.

Buddha would have said that "enlightenment" is in each of us, one must only "find" it in our depths. Yes, but he would have doubts whether he would be worth it.

I said that only his ego whispers such thoughts to him, comparable to a small monkey sitting on his shoulder, influencing him, that the ego must be his servant, and not his master, that he could silence the ego, he should at least try.

Charly told, yes, I would be right, he has even already given a name to the little creature on his shoulder.

My advice was, whenever the being on his shoulders makes itself known, he should focus on the subject of "enlightenment", he can always silence the being with the subject.

I also told him about my blog and hope he will read this post.

Shutting down the ego is the first step to create the right environment and conditions for "enlightenment".

EVEN A GREAT JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A SMALL STEP

EVERYONE WOULD LIKE TO BE CARY GRANT. EVEN I WOULD LIKE TO BE CARY GRANT

- CARY GRANT - BRITISH-AMERICAN ACTOR - 1904 TO 1986

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