Self help article: Philosophy, thought experiment, ego, nature, metaphor, spiritual wisdom
This post is written in the spirit of Alan Watts, inspired by his wisdom and timeless insight, particularly when it comes to perceiving the uncanny similarities between nature and our own being. Below, we explore the nature of our ego, offering a lens through which we can see it for what it really is.
Our ego is like the petals of a flower, vivid, intricate, an advertisement among competitors. It attracts biodiversity with the sweet lure of nectar and vibrant colours that few insects can ignore. After all, it's this seductive display that spreads its seeds far and wide, right? In that sense, the flower’s beauty isn’t just decoration, it’s survival. Just like our ego, which helps us navigate and compete in the social world.
Yet we humans often mistake these outer displays, our appearance, personality, and quirks, as the whole of who we are. But beneath every bloom lies a seed, a core shared by all living things.
The Essence Within
That seed is your essence. We all emerge from the same basic biological blueprint: flesh, bone, brain, and breath. What makes us appear different is how we "flower." This includes the patterns we develop, our sense of humour, the friendships we cultivate, the needs and preferences that guide us, and in general the qualities that shape our interactions with the world.
Your ego is the advertisement you present to the world, but it is far from the complete picture. Our roots and origins are much more alike than we often realise. So, we are both fundamentally the same and uniquely ourselves, that is the beautiful paradox of being human. Unity at our core, diversity on the surface.
Embracing Growth and Transformation
Just as nature intended, we are developmental beings. Our identity isn't fixed, it's wonderfully malleable, capable of immense growth and spontaneity. The face you wore as a child is not the one you wear now, and no plant remains in full bloom forever.
Our appearance, beliefs, and even our ego all evolve. Some petals fall away, new ones emerge, and the patterns shift. This entire process is natural, even beautiful. There is no final version of us, only continuous stages of becoming and happening.
When we understand ourselves as unfolding organisms rather than finished products, we give ourselves permission to change. To get a little messy. To wither and re-root when needed. Your ego need not be a rigid, fixed identity. It can be a dynamic dance of transformation.
In a world that often rewards only the bloom, remember the profound importance of the seed.