There is a discussion going around in Christian circles about the meaning of “I am the way”. Some are interpreting this as the actual quote being “THE I is the way”. In other words, the way is within through the individuated self, as opposed to the personal ego.
Another basic Christian precept is free will and the intrinsic value of every person.
I shall offer a non-Christian perspective.
I have written before about some of the pitfalls of the human ego. And of the basic nature of the human condition. We are bubbles in the great fabric of space/time. Because I can’t prove a specific after life I am left with the possibility that it is just nonbeing.
But while we are here, each of us represents one human life in the great chain of life itself, and for that reason we each have value.
This requires a healthy “I”. And that “I” operates through our ego.
I believe that each of us is meant to have a fully developed individual self, not subsumed into the collective.
As long as that self does not try to dominate the collective, and as long as the value of the collective is honored by each individual, the individual self should be free to express and control his or her own pathway.
In fact, holding back that particular set of personality traits, preferences, and character traits actually robs the collective symphony of that particular note that is you.
It only exists while you live. It did not exist before your birth. It will not survive you. It makes the infinite music of life richer.
This is one reason a completely collective economy and political system will not bring out the best. Because we human animals need our own spaces and our private lives.
The healthy ego is the bridge between the personal and the collective. It allows us to recognize our own needs and wants. But also to recognize that these needs and wants exist within the fabric of a greater life. And creates harmony and balance between the two fields of existence.
Annabel Ascher: How beautifully and mysteriously the artwork -- the self-portrait -- gives voice to what you are saying about the contribution of the individual.
Thank you for sharing. In this short post, you shared a lot of thought. A lot. And how you resolved those meanings speaks to me.
Thank you SO much!
A good friend of mine passed away about 7 years ago (I'm kinda making up a number here - it was during the "before times" for sure, but not sure of the specifics beyond that). He was fond of talking about how important ego actually is... in jiu jitsu, we often talk about "leaving your ego at the door" when you step onto the mat. This is sensible! But it's also a bit hyperbolic.
You need that ego to keep you coming back for more punishment, and to continue learning after you fall down. Ego is not a universally bad thing by any stretch... it's complicated and nuanced.