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A Deeper Understanding Of Human Life: Part Two: The Soul and The Ego Are Dance Partners, Not Enemies

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience;

   we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”

– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

True, but this is easier said than done. Here’s why. The soul carries a positive polarity. The Earth, and the ego (including the physical, mental, emotional, unconscious, and imaginative areas of consciousness) carries a negative polarity. This means that the electrical fields of our earthly identity function in opposition to the awakening and evolution of the soul. That’s why it takes consistent, intentional effort to elevate the consciousness above the ego to engage in spiritual awakening.

These two opposing energetic orientations within our consciousness don’t refer to moral good or bad, but to the directional flow of energy and awareness of what are commonly referred to as the soul and the ego. So, getting them to dance together is tricky business!

The soul and the ego are like the two poles of a magnet. Each carries an opposite charge that gives rise to the movement of energy and awareness through our lives. What is commonly thought of as spiritual awakening is not about silencing the ego but taming it to move as one under the guidance of the soul. Both are vital to our well-being.

As suggested in the above quote, the soul is our true, continuous self experiencing a human life through its relationship with our earthly identity. The ego’s purpose is to define and protect our individuality. It helps us navigate the physical world by setting boundaries between self and other and ensuring survival. It focuses on self-preservation, control, and distinction. Without the ego, there would be no sense of “I” to experience life at all.

Here is a comparison of the dynamics of the polarities of the soul and the ego:

Aspect                        Soul (Positive Polarity)                             Ego (Negative Polarity)

Direction                      Expanding                                                   Contracting

Energy                         Radiating                                                     Absorbing

Focus                          Unity                                                             Separation

Motivation                   Love/Service                                                Fear/Control

Function                      Transcendence                                            Survival

Goal                            Connection                                                  Definition

Together, these two polarities generate the current of human experience. This is what sustains the tension that allows us to grow, evolve, and remember who we truly are.

When the ego serves the soul, life flows in harmony. The goal is not to erase the ego, but to illuminate it with the soul’s light in such a way that it transforms contraction into conscious co-creation.

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Practicing Soul Awareness

What does it mean to be a soul? Conceptually, in its most general definition, being a soul has to do with living in part as a non-physical being. In other words, part of our “self” is beyond time and space and, according to some religious traditions, is divine in nature.

On a practical level, what does it mean to exist in a body with a personality, mind, and emotions and yet to exist beyond all that on a dimension that cannot be adequately captured in language? How can I be something I cannot even talk about? 

I find myself most aware of being a soul or spiritual being when I experience a sense of oneness with another person, my cat, a tree, a flower, or a butterfly. In other words, for a fleeting or lingering moment I merge with the other, and all the definitive ways in which we are different are of no consequence. They disappear from my awareness while I experience a sweet oneness with the other. Sometimes I practice this walking down the street and intentionally make eye contact with another and smiling, invite them in. Some come, some do not. Yet, we all have that capacity. 

I have discovered that practicing soul awareness is a great way to break free of my judgments of myself and others. When someone really gets on my last nerve, for example, I could go on and on, telling myself all the things I don’t like about that person and how wrong they are for behaving as they do. I have that choice, but I have come to realize that only makes me increasingly unhappy. I have another choice. I can lift into the oneness that joins me together with this person and feed that awareness instead of building up my unhappiness. I may find myself continuously allergic to this person’s personality. However, every time I am bothered by that dimension of their expression, I have the option of shifting dimensions and focusing instead into that non-physical dimension where we are all one. The mere act of shifting my focus reminds me that I have a choice and that either choice has consequences. If I can be conscious enough to see this option I can save myself a lot of heartache. I can also be part of the solution of greater kindness I choose to participate in rather than allowing myself to fall back into creating more negative vibes. 

Each choice each of us makes like this is like casting a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. So, what we are doing within our own inner awareness really does have an impact on our collective consciousness. Each of us in our own inner worlds is contributing to the quality of consciousness we share. Imagine the upside potential of each of us choosing to strengthen our soul awareness instead of judging and rejecting each other. Are you willing to practice soul awareness by being a mental and emotional ecologist? 

For further insight into mastering the art of being you, read more here.  If you’re feeling social, I also provide daily wisdom and tidbits on my Instagram account. Give me a follow so we can thrive together!

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