When I come across wisdom that makes a profound difference in my life, I stick with it for a while in order to really incorporate its meaning into my life.
So I bring up the Tony Robbins quote again (for those that follow regularly, you may have noticed I have mentioned it a couple of times over the last couple of months).
“The reason you’re suffering is you’re focused on yourself.” – Tony Robbins
These words changed me. They are true.
But why?
I’m still working on that… but in the meantime I have also been diving more into the ego and what it is. (The best resource I’ve come across so far is A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle). And I see a huge connection.
He defines the ego as a dysfunctional relationship with the present moment. Which really doesn’t mean a lot if you haven’t read the book.
Here is where I am at in my understanding.
Ego is everything “me, my and I”.
Anytime you are referring to anything that is me, my or I… you are coming from ego, and causing yourself to suffer (you will also see a lot of blame with ego… blaming others or blaming yourself).
“How could you do this to me?” Ego
“I have ruined everything.” Ego
“My life will never be the same.” Ego
“I don’t deserve this”. Ego
“That was my pen”. Ego
I’m still figuring out the small details… but I know as soon as I go into this state of me, my, or I , it causes me to suffer. I can also see it in others… people who are hurt, angry, depressed, are all coming from the ego.
Let’s not cause our own suffering okay? Life is too short, and hard enough as it is.