LEARN THE ART OF EGO MANAGEMENT
Secrets to Healthy Social Living
EGO is an innate faculty of every human being. It has a very important role to play in the personality of every man and woman. This is because ego is the source of self-consciousness. It is the source of conviction, confidence and determination. In this sense, it is a great strength of every human being. Thus, ego is a healthy phenomenon. In the absence of the ego-spirit, man cannot do anything, and as far as great achievements are concerned, they are impossible without the ego-spirit.
This is the positive aspect of ego. But, at the same time there is a negative aspect also. It is this negative aspect that creates problems. Being a social animal man has to live amongst people—both within the family and outside the family. In other words, social living is an intrinsic requirement of every person. It is this social contact that leads to problems. When one is alone one’s ego is in the dormant position. But, when one is in society, one is bound to come into contact with other people. Due to this, every moment there is a chance to experience situations which could lead to ego clashes.
Social life is an asset for everyone and at the same time, it is accompanied by the negative experiences of ego clashes.
Everywhere in nature, there is diversity. It is an essential part of nature’s scheme. So is the case with man. Every man or woman, is born with a different personality. Society, thus, is a combination of different personalities. It is this difference in tastes, ways of thinking, and modes of expression that creates problems. What is called an ego-problem is actually a phenomenon of living amongst different people.
It is said that when one’s ego is stoked, it turns into a super-ego and the result is breakdown. This saying is right, but it should be understood in the right perspective. It is a phenomenon of social living and not a phenomenon of solitary living. Society creates problems for individuals, but at the same time it is a fact that no one can live alone. In social life everyone shares with other people. It is this ‘sharing culture’ that helps individuals to develop their personality and to bring their plans to completion. Without this sharing nothing is possible for any man or woman.
Every person is like a rose plant, in that he has a ‘flower content’ and at the same time he has a ‘thorn content’. It is this double sagacity of every person that should be accepted as a reality. When a person comes into contact with the ‘flower content’ of another, he remains normal. However, when he comes into contact with the ‘thorn content’ of the other person, his ego flares up. It is but natural to have this kind of double experience in social life. One has to accept the thorn in the same way that one accepts the flower. Failing this, one will have to suffer irreparable loss. In terms of sharing, social life is an asset for everyone and at the same time, it is accompanied by the negative experiences of ego clashes.
Every person is like a rose plant, in that he has a ‘flower content’ and at the same time he has a ‘thorn content’.
Then what should be done in such a situation? The art of ego management is the only solution to this problem. Ego management is the price of social living. Every commodity has an inevitable price; without paying this price one cannot acquire that commodity. So is the case of reaping the benefits of social living. If one wants to enjoy the benefits of social living one will have to learn the art of ego management.
Ego problem is one’s personal problem. Others will not pay its price; one has to manage it on one’s own. Here there are only two choices: either manage the ego problem and prosper, or fail in its management and end in disaster.
Wisdom is to differentiate between trivial matters and real issues.
Without this sagacity, you cannot do anything
worthwhile for yourself or for society.