What is the Ego?

What is the Ego?

In spiritual teachings, the Ego means a false, separate, or fearful sense of self that cuts us off from ourselves, others and our surroundings. By transcending the ego, we awaken from this false sense of ourselves to our true nature. In psychology, we often talk about...
Why is Your Cat Not Enlightened?

Why is Your Cat Not Enlightened?

Many people and spiritual teachers have a sense that their animals, and especially cats, are Enlightened. They feel that way, because animals don’t seem to have painful memories of the past and fears (or hopes) for the future. In addition, they have what we call an...
Waking Up and Growing Up

Waking Up and Growing Up

Most spiritual seekers and teachers don’t understand the important difference between “waking up” or Ego Transcendence, and “growing up” or Ego (healthy self) development. This is one of the most important insights of Integral theory that is encapsulated in the...
What is Idiot Compassion?

What is Idiot Compassion?

In this week’s group, we will explore “idiot compassion”. You will learn the difference between authentic compassion, which means “to suffer with”, and leads to actions to support others in reducing their suffering by “getting their act together”. In contrast, idiot...
How can I tell true and permanent love?

How can I tell true and permanent love?

Love and relationships between humans are always conditional, because, unlike animals like penguins, we are self-conscious and have developing minds with changing needs and desires. True and permanent, or unconditional love, only exists as a potential when we become...