A goal in the spiritual journey is for ego to become translucent to the deeper no-Self!

For many, the goal of the spiritual journey seems to be the death of the ego - i.e., the separate self, with its needs and desires - en route to union with the Divine. As a result, we end up with all kinds of spiritual "masters" who claim to have no ego, yet who seem full of themselves, just like the rest of us. I believe in a very different goal, one where the ego remains, but gradually becomes translucent to the Deeper Presence which has no-Self. Here, for example, we might still get angry when we (or someone we love, or an oppressed group, or the health of the environment) are ignored or slighted. And yet, there is at the same time no hanging on to the anger. During these times, if we look deeply into the source of the anger in order to find out "who" it is that is angry, we find no one! In fact, it seems to arise out of nowhere. In practical terms, this means, for example, being upset at an injustice, but having a light touch with the anger. I think this kind of vision in which ego becomes translucent to No-Self is much more awe-inspiring than one in which either no ego is present, or where one claims not to have an ego, but really does!

Photo: Chokecherry leaves glow in the day's last light, with golden Narrowleaf Cottonwood trees and Arthur's Rock looming in the background; Lory State Park, CO; October 16, 2013.  Note: no flash was used in this photo; it is natural lighting :)

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