Understanding the Ego: The Path to Peace and Acceptance
The ego is often defined as “an individual's sense of self or perception of their identity,” which I interpret as the way we see both ourselves and others. It influences why we think the way we do and why we act the way we act. For a long time, I thought the ego only applied to people with superiority complexes—those who believe they're better than others. While that’s true, it’s only part of the story. The ego not only drives feelings of superiority but also feelings of inferiority.
Because the ego is such a complex topic, I’ll focus on how it shapes both superiority and inferiority, and why recognizing when your ego is in control is key to living a more peaceful and balanced life.
Superiority and inferiority are two sides of the same coin, both rooted in ego. When you think you're better than others, you're letting your ego dictate your worth. Maybe you believe you have skills or qualities that others lack, and when someone makes a mistake or says something you wouldn’t, your first instinct is judgment. You might think, "I’m better than them" or "I would never do that." This mindset, while it may seem like confidence, actually stems from insecurity—your ego’s need to lift you up by putting others down. Whether you share these thoughts or not, comparisons like "I’m smarter because I got a better grade" only complicate life by distancing you from others and preventing you from seeing everyone as equals.
On the flip side, inferiority is just as ego-driven. When you feel less than others, you’re still making comparisons, but this time you’re putting others on a pedestal. Feeling like you’re not as good as someone else feeds into your negative self-image and reinforces the idea that the world is against you. Ego isn’t just being overly confident—it’s also feeling overly insecure. For example, if you skip a workout and think, “Everyone around me is in better shape,” that’s your ego speaking again. In both cases, whether you feel superior or inferior, the ego creates unnecessary hierarchies that complicate life.
In reality, we’re all walking through life side by side, trying our best. Letting go of the ego, and the judgment it breeds, allows us to see that we’re all equal. When we release the need to feel better or worse than others, life becomes much easier and more peaceful.
Understanding the ego’s role in both superiority and inferiority is crucial for personal growth. Whether we feel above or beneath others, it’s our ego driving those comparisons, complicating our relationships and our view of ourselves. By recognizing these tendencies and letting go of judgment, we allow ourselves to embrace equality, where no one is better or worse. In doing so, life becomes lighter, more peaceful, and free from the need to measure our worth against others. We’re all walking through life together—side by side.
Click here to explore journaling prompts that will help you dive deeper into the concept of the ego.
