The Ego

[Anne-Marie McCormack]

Some people think that in order to acheive oneness- you have to "get rid of your ego". I seem to resonate more with making your ego your allie. What do you think?

[James]

This question really set my mind to work, (I think a few cogs fell off in the process), and I realized my answer was determined by the definition of the word ego itself, because through the course of time 'ego' has taken on a variety of meanings. It was like looking at the two sides of a coin at the same time. If one considered the ego as it was originally defined in Freudian theory; as a necessary component of the psyche; or the function of the mind which mediates between the id and the super-ego (it is not hard to picture the ego in this sense as the scale of balance, always weighing the matter at hand), then I would have to entirely agree that making the ego one's friend would bring about a true peace of mind, thereby achieving oneness within ourselves.
If however, I was to take into account a more general understanding and usage of the word (ie...its usage in general terminology; egotistical, egocentric, etc...) where it has become intertwined with the definition of the self (as being inflated), I can understand why one might believe that it wise to 'get rid of the ego'. In this scenario 'getting rid of the ego' implies lessening the self (or becoming self-less) which some believe to be a very rewarding path in the attainment of oneness.

Peace
James