Are Ego and the Separate Self Different? from the media The Journey Back to Our Self
A woman from Oregon asks about the different uses of the word ego, which seems like a natural occurrence in early childhood development, but then later becomes identification with thoughts and feelings. Is the latter the separate self? Rupert explains this in terms of the infinite as 'I am' that seems to limit itself to whatever appears to come after the 'I am.'
- Duration: 10 minutes and 6 seconds
- Recorded on: Aug 9, 2020
- Event: Seven Day 'Retreat at Home' – August
A woman from Oregon asks about the different uses of the word ego, which seems like a natural occurrence in early childhood development, but then later becomes identification with thoughts and feelings. Is the latter the separate self? Rupert explains this in terms of the infinite as 'I am' that seems to limit itself to whatever appears to come after the 'I am.'
How best to help a child who is developing as an ego, but could be diverted from identification with a separate self? Rupert suggests that it is a matter of modelling the understanding.
If the witness is a conglomeration of thoughts, feelings, etc, upon investigation it is seen that there is nothing there. What or who is this witness? Rupert explains the difference between a witness, the witnessed and witnessing.
A woman asks if she is correct in the perception of things getting easier as a result of practising dropping in to the presence of awareness. Rupert speaks of the shift of attention from thoughts and feelings to the awareness in which it all arises.
A man from South Africa says that when he asks himself 'Am I aware,' at times it feels like being in awareness, sometimes it feels like simply a blank mind. Rupert asks what is aware of the blank mind?
A woman asks if this is a mistake of awareness in identifying as a separate self? Rupert elaborates by using the analogy of John Smith and King Lear to explain the infinite freely consents to veil itself.
A woman with fibromyalgia asks how to rest as awareness in the midst of physical discomfort. Rupert suggests she not try to get rid of the discomfort but be aware of being aware of it.
A man from Salem, OR speaks of an 'inner-life collapse' that led him to a therapist who helped him investigate trauma and PTSD from the experience having of a sado-masochistic father. He speaks of an experience of hotspots while working with Rupert's meditations, and asks how to be free of these painful sensations. Rupert suggests continuing with yoga meditations.
A woman asks if the breath is an object of experience? Rupert says 'yes', and that everything experienced is an object of experience.
Does the sense of speed and urgency tend to pull us into identification with the separate self? Rupert uses the example of athletes utilising the sense of urgency at a high level of presence, like 'being in the zone.'
A man describes the experience of going inward and the realisation that only awareness is, and going outward, there is no objective experience. He asks Rupert to elaborate on this understanding. Rupert speaks of 'otherness without others.'
A woman with a history of eating disorders asks about the initiating mechanism behind compulsive eating. She asks what is it that resists the teaching, and just eats regardless of her understanding. Rupert discusses the pervading sense of lack that exists as the separate self.
A man from Germany says that if he asks the question, 'who is aware?' it feels like the 'I' is a superimposition on the experience. He wants to know where is the 'I'? Rupert speaks of knowing, and to what the 'I am' refers.
Is the pull to explore infinite possibilities in experience stronger than the pull to experience peace? Rupert explains that they are the same expression.
Is the part of God that divided itself know that it will awaken? Rupert explains that there are no parts, but as a concession to an apparent fragment, there is a knowing.
A woman from Oregon asks about the different uses of the word ego, which seems like a natural occurrence in early childhood development, but then later becomes identification with thoughts and feelings. Is the latter the separate self? Rupert explains this in terms of the infinite as 'I am' that seems to limit itself to whatever appears to come after the 'I am.'
How best to help a child who is developing as an ego, but could be diverted from identification with a separate self? Rupert suggests that it is a matter of modelling the understanding.
If the witness is a conglomeration of thoughts, feelings, etc, upon investigation it is seen that there is nothing there. What or who is this witness? Rupert explains the difference between a witness, the witnessed and witnessing.
A woman asks if she is correct in the perception of things getting easier as a result of practising dropping in to the presence of awareness. Rupert speaks of the shift of attention from thoughts and feelings to the awareness in which it all arises.
A man from South Africa says that when he asks himself 'Am I aware,' at times it feels like being in awareness, sometimes it feels like simply a blank mind. Rupert asks what is aware of the blank mind?
A woman asks if this is a mistake of awareness in identifying as a separate self? Rupert elaborates by using the analogy of John Smith and King Lear to explain the infinite freely consents to veil itself.
A woman with fibromyalgia asks how to rest as awareness in the midst of physical discomfort. Rupert suggests she not try to get rid of the discomfort but be aware of being aware of it.
A man from Salem, OR speaks of an 'inner-life collapse' that led him to a therapist who helped him investigate trauma and PTSD from the experience having of a sado-masochistic father. He speaks of an experience of hotspots while working with Rupert's meditations, and asks how to be free of these painful sensations. Rupert suggests continuing with yoga meditations.
A woman asks if the breath is an object of experience? Rupert says 'yes', and that everything experienced is an object of experience.
Does the sense of speed and urgency tend to pull us into identification with the separate self? Rupert uses the example of athletes utilising the sense of urgency at a high level of presence, like 'being in the zone.'
A man describes the experience of going inward and the realisation that only awareness is, and going outward, there is no objective experience. He asks Rupert to elaborate on this understanding. Rupert speaks of 'otherness without others.'
A woman with a history of eating disorders asks about the initiating mechanism behind compulsive eating. She asks what is it that resists the teaching, and just eats regardless of her understanding. Rupert discusses the pervading sense of lack that exists as the separate self.
A man from Germany says that if he asks the question, 'who is aware?' it feels like the 'I' is a superimposition on the experience. He wants to know where is the 'I'? Rupert speaks of knowing, and to what the 'I am' refers.
Is the pull to explore infinite possibilities in experience stronger than the pull to experience peace? Rupert explains that they are the same expression.
Is the part of God that divided itself know that it will awaken? Rupert explains that there are no parts, but as a concession to an apparent fragment, there is a knowing.