The Ego (Το Εγώ)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

There is something within all of us that is both common and yet deeply personal; it is known as the ego. It is an undeniable force, a presence that shapes our thoughts, actions and perceptions. Despite its significance, the ego is not our true self. It is the shadow cast by our desires, our fears and our impulses. It is the antithesis of the self, standing in stark contrast to the essence of who we truly are. Unlike the self, the ego cannot be sustained by the sophrosyne, which is the virtue of the soundness of mind and temperance. In Meleticism, we study the fundamental elements that compose human nature, which are the soul, the self and the virtues that guide us towards enlightenment. What we realise is that the self, with its discipline and strength is far more suitable for our existence than the consuming ego.

Virtue is the foundation upon which a noble character is built, and it must never be compromised by vice. When we allow the ego to dominate our actions, we are surrendering our virtue in exchange for self-indulgence. The ego is not something that can be assessed by words alone, for it is revealed in the way one lives, the choices one makes and the discipline one maintains. There exists a clear distinction between the ego and the self, just as there is a distinction between good fortune and misfortune.

If we permit the ego to corrupt us with envy, greed or arrogance, we become its unwilling servant. The ego does not seek harmony; rather, it thrives on excess, on the insatiable hunger for recognition, power and validation. A man enslaved to his ego is at the mercy of an unrelenting master, bending to every whim of pride and self-importance. To succumb to the ego is to relinquish control over our higher self, forfeiting the wisdom and fortitude that define a truly enlightened being.

The self and the ego are both integral to human existence, yet they are fundamentally different in their nature and purpose. The self is composed of fortitude, discipline and wisdom, whereas the ego is defined by self-gratification and indulgence. Both contribute to our ethos or our moral character, but in vastly different ways. Whilst the self strengthens our being and refines our spirit, the ego distorts our perception, leading us astray from the true path of virtue.

In the Greek language, the word ego (ἐγώ) simply means "I," signifying the individual, the personal identity of a person. It is a word that defines our character, but over time, it has taken on a deeper and more perilous meaning. The ego has transcended its original purpose; it has assumed the role of the self, rather than serving as a mere aspect of our consciousness. It seeks to dominate, to define our existence through a false lens of superiority and self-importance.

When we practice philosophy, we engage in a pursuit of truth that is rooted in principles, not in personal desires. Philosophy is not meant to serve the ego, nor is it meant to validate self-centered ambitions. Instead, it calls us to examine our thoughts, to challenge our inclinations, and to refine our character. In this pursuit, we realise that the ego is not a source of wisdom, but an evident distraction from it.

One of the greatest deceptions of the ego is the illusion of control. It makes us believe that by feeding our desires, we are asserting dominance over our fate. In truth, the more we submit to the ego, the less control we have over ourselves. The ego is not something that can be fully restrained, nor is it something that must be entirely eradicated. Instead, it must be tamed. It must be brought into a state of balance so that it does not dictate our thoughts and actions.

To achieve this, we must cultivate self-awareness. Self-awareness is the first step in understanding the ego's influence and limiting its control over us. Through contemplation and reflection, we begin to see the ego for what it truly is, which is a fleeting construct, a mere distortion of the self. Once we acknowledge this truth, we can begin the process of self-acceptance, wherein we learn to embrace our true nature, free from the distortions imposed by the ego.

A man who devotes himself entirely to the ego forsakes the self. He loses sight of who he is, mistaking his alter ego or his false persona, for his fundamental essence. On the contrary, the self is not an illusion, nor is it an extension of the ego. The self is our true nature, the foundation of our being.

To allow the ego to govern our actions is to invite ruin. The consequences of unattended egotism can be irredeemable, leading to the downfall of character, relationships and inner peace. History is filled with examples of men who, blinded by their egos, have pursued power and glory at the cost of their own integrity. They may rise to prominence, basking in the admiration of others, but they ultimately fall and are undone by the exact force they sought to wield.

A man who is ruled by his ego may believe himself to be invincible, untouchable, and a god amongst mortals. Deep down, he is nothing more than a fragile being, bound by the same limitations as all others. His throne may be grand, his riches vast, but his soul is impoverished. He has sacrificed his self-awareness, his humility and his virtue for the fleeting pleasures of pride and vanity. In the end, he will perish, just as all men must. His ego, once his source of power, will be his undoing.

True strength lies not in the ego, but in the self. The self builds, whilst the ego destroys. The self humbles, whilst the ego inflates. The self is guided by wisdom, whilst the ego is blinded by desire. To cultivate the self is to cultivate enlightenment, for in doing so, we align ourselves with the natural flow of the universe, with (To Ένa) the One that connects all things.

When we engage in deep contemplation, we begin to see life not through the distorted lens of the ego, but through the clarity of the self. We acknowledge that our purpose is not to dominate or to indulge, but to grow, to learn and to embody virtue. The ego may whisper promises of grandeur and immortality, but the self understands the truth that fulfilment lies not in selfish ambition. Instead, it flourishes in wisdom and self-mastery.

When we connect with our inner self, we are embracing the essence that was given to us by To Ena. We are not meant to be ruled by the ego, nor to become slaves to its yearning desires. Rather, we are meant to rise above it, to awaken our consciousness, and to discover the true depth of our being.

A man who is governed by his ego may appear strong, but his strength is hollow. He may speak with authority, but his words are empty. He may claim victory, but he has already lost himself. To be truly victorious is to conquer the ego, to master the self and to live in accordance with wisdom and virtue.

Thus, we must ask ourselves, do we serve the ego, or do we serve the self? The answer to this question defines the course of our lives. The ego may be loud, insistent and demanding, but the self, if we listen closely is the quiet voice of the truth, waiting to be heard. The control of the ego is necessary. We cannot allow it to control our lives. When the ego is tamed by the self, then we are strengthened. Only then can we be finally free.

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