Deep Listening Circle on Ego & Other News
Tomorrow at 6pm WEST / 1pm EDT
Hi people,
A theme which has been alive for me lately is that of the ego. I’ve been studying the Course in Miracles over the past few months, and while I find it fascinating and helpful in many ways, I’ve been resisting its language around the ego, especially because it often uses “ego” and “I” interchangeably.
Several other spiritual books seem to have an equally negative view of the ego. But about a healthy ego—a very necessary sense of self? Without it we can feel slightly disoriented in the world at best, fall prey to cults at worst.
At the same time, I agree with many of these books and spiritual teachers that our culture is overly selfish, too concerned with status, money, fame; distant from the recognition and experience that, at some essential level, we belong to one another.
Because I don’t have full clarity about how I want to relate to this tiny word—ego—and because I sense it’s an important dialogue to be had (what does ego really mean), I’m dedicating tomorrow’s Deep Listening Circle to it.
Like every month, those of us who feel called, will come together online to listen more closely to the voice of our inner teachers. The point of these sessions isn’t to show off how much we know, nor to fix or advise anyone. Rather, it is to support one another in accessing our inner wisdom.
Here are some questions we’ll sit with:
What is the ego?
What is its purpose?
How does it serve me?
How does it hinder me?
What is the relationship between ego and spiritual growth?
And some quotes to spark reflection:
“Ego says, Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace. Spirit says, Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place.” ~Marianne Williamson
“My biggest past mistakes have been when I made decisions out of ego rather than spirit. When I acted too quickly. When I wasn’t contemplative or reflective or prayerful enough, and I ended up making what I would only later see to be unwise decisions.”~Marianne Williamson
“Awareness and ego cannot coexist. Negative states of mind—anger, resentment, fear, envy, jealously—are products of the ego.” ~Eckart Tolle
“The biggest ego trip is getting rid of your ego, and of course the joke of it all is that your ego does not exist.” ~Alan Watts
To join the session tomorrow, at 6pm WEST / 1pm EDT, click this link: meet.google.com/tbd-oivy-fqu.
We’ll gather for 1h30. If you have any questions, I’m an email away.
Are Awards an Ego Pursuit?
In other news, I’ve slowed down on editing the next podcast episodes to apply to the International Women’s Podcast Awards, a lovely community and initiative that has brought Wiser Now two award-nominations in the last two years.
Below is a short video where I share why I chose several fragments from my interview with Elad Kaspin for this year’s application.
In-Person Retreat
If you want to join me in person, I’ll be hosting a retreat with my friend and life coach Nata Buleishvili from September 21 to 26, in the north of Portugal, where I’m from. It’s called ‘Dare to Listen to Your Life’, and we’ll do just that: listen, alone and together, to the voice of our lives.
There’s only one spot left in a private room, and two in a shared room. And if funds are an impediment, you can always apply as a volunteer. To learn more, write to me privately.
I’ll be back soon with more episodes with my yoga teacher Carmen Mitroi, writer and Courage & Renewal facilitator Brian Braganza, and activist Martin Winiecki.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions for future guests, I’d love to hear them.
Warmly,
Carlota