To connect to your Inner-Being, practice mindfulness. Practice living in the Now. Practice awareness of your Ego and Pain-Body. Practice the Observer.
Eckhart Tolle’s entire books The Power of Now and A New Earth, is my go-to ‘theory’ on Ego and Pain-Body. I had been practising the ‘emptying’ of the mind for years. And so was fairly proficient at it. But didn’t understand its significance, until I read The Power of Now. Now I understood the Theory, the why behind my practice. And it incredibly accelerated my journey. Please read these books if you so feel inclined. I attempt to give my simplified understanding of Ego and Pain-Body (used interchangeably with Emotions) in my notebook drawing here.
Its important to state first, that our mind and emotions are wonderful parts of us. There is nothing 'wrong' with mind and emotions, they are ingenious and creative. They serve a function, just as our hands, feet, lungs, kidneys all serve a function in our body (hardware). Where the dysfunction lies, is when our mind and emotions are not 'in-check' and so consume us and take over.
Ego, simply put, is another name for our mind. Our mind like all parts of our body has a function. To plan, to problem solve, to instruct the body. It is a very useful tool and a very ingenious one when used well. But it has taken on a ‘life’ of its own. It consumes most of us in its noise. Its so ‘noisy’, we don’t hear the Truth, which is always quietly singing its beautiful melody in the background.
Pain-Body is the powerful by-product of Ego, our mind. You think about how someone has done wrong to you, you are overcome by anger and frustration. You think about past memories you become sad, forlorn, depressed. You think about the possible cash-flow problems your business will have if debtors don’t pay in time, you become anxious and worry. You think about how much you should be earning in your job by now, you become overwhelmed, depressed, despondent.
Ego and Pain-Body have ‘encased’ our Inner Being, so that we can not feel it. The practice of being ‘aware’ of the Ego (and its thoughts) and of Emotions, is to crack open the ‘shell’ to what lies ‘inside’. When you are practising presence, you can be more aware of Ego and Pain-Body when they arise. If you are not present, you will be unaware when they are ‘in control’ and have ‘taken over’.
How does Ego take over? By keeping ‘your attention’ in the Past or the Future. Ever notice, some people are so consumed by the past that they can not enjoy the present moment? Have you ever heard the phrase ‘Stuck in the past’? Or have you met people who are so consumed with where they want to be or what they want to have, that they can not enjoy what they currently have in the present moment? Or those who worry incessantly about their future, that they are barely here in the present? Ever say to someone “Earth to Bob, where is your mind at?” Or ever see a parent who is with their child, but who isn’t actually really ‘with it’ or there? Distracted by thoughts in their mind, thinking about something else, or on their phones. While their child tugs at them to ‘come back’ and share in this present moment of play with them. Is that person, you? It certainly was me! And still could be, if I don't continue to practice presence.
It’s a lot easier to observe it in other people, but a lot harder to look inwards and observe it in ourselves when it is happening. Why is that? Because it is OUR mind that has taken over, in control. Until we practice to ‘step back’ and ‘observe’ it. Just how we would if we were watching someone else. It’s important not to suppress thoughts or emotions. Simply to observe. By observing it, you take away its energy source, and is it will naturally recede away.
How does Pain-Body take over?
Pain-Body is a powerful by-product of Ego, of thinking. Through the practice of being present, focusing on the Now, we can still the thinking and so 'deflate' the rising negative emotion. Don’t take my word on it, try and observe it.
Easiest one to observe for me, is anger. We already practice observing that one when we count to ten! “I can feel my anger coming up, I’ll count to ten”. "I'm getting angry, I need to take a few deep breaths to calm down." We think by counting to ten or breathing deeply, that we are controlling our anger, when in fact, by counting, we are practising chanting! With numbers. By breathing, we are turning our focus into the Now. And so we are actually practising being present, able to observe our anger as it rises, and essentially deflate the air from it.
To connect to your Inner-Being, practice mindfulness. Practice awareness of your Ego and Pain-Body. Practice the Observer.
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