The Power of Uniting with a Group

                                             

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”  Helen Keller

Recently life has shown me the value of people coming together for a shared purpose.  I’ve always known there is power in groups, but somewhere I forgot just how powerful this concept really is.  With online sites such as Meetup.com, GoSociety, Facebook, etc.  it is now easier than ever to find a group that share your purpose!  In a shared group it is easier to stay accountable, find valuable connections, acquire and share tools and information, and ultimately make our goals reality!

The key with uniting with a group is be clear about what you are wanting from participating in the group and how this group will help you achieve these goals.  Some groups can actually take us further from where we are really wanting to be. I know that in the past certain college groups frustrated me much more than they helped me in any way.  It is important to be clear around your purpose in the group and the groups actual dynamic before strongly committing to the group.  Don’t be afraid to not settle for a group that isn’t a match.  This can be tough if you are a people pleaser or fall prey to social pressure, but what is most important is to stay true to your own purpose for joining the group in the first place.  Of course, everything won’t be perfect in any group, but if it doesn’t provide some of the benefits that prompted you to join do trust that you can find another group that will be a match.

Once you have found a group that aligns with your goals, stay with it.  The benefit that you will receive from the group really depends on what you are putting into it.  Sometimes it seems like people join a group and expect that is all they have to do to reap the rewards.  Naturally, this isn’t the case.  It is the action that will lead to the benefits, so give yourself the gift of showing up for what you desire! Enjoy the power of connecting with a like-minded bunch and continue to create bliss through your actions my dear readers!

Bliss through Accepting your Ego

Do you ever get lost in your mind?  What kind of thoughts are you thinking when you do?  Do you act on or believe those thoughts?  These are all valid questions floating around in our age of cultivating a conscious awareness.  A common spiritual message encourages the spiritually minded to get rid of the ego to obtain enlightenment, but if this is not practiced or interpreted correctly it can create more conflict and suffering.  My purpose in this post is to relate my experience of what it means to gently examine the ego and practice a non-judgmental awareness.

So how do we define ego?

1. The self, especially as distinct from the world and other selves.

2. In psychoanalysis, the division of the psyche that is conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior.

3. a. An exaggerated sense of self-importance; conceit. b. Appropriate pride in oneself; self-esteem.

As you can see, there are a few interpretations of the word.  For the purpose of this post, ego is going to be defined as more simply, the thoughts that analyze problems, create new problems, solve problems, judge, criticize, etc.  These functions of the ego can be useful in navigating life.  We need to be able to problem solve and navigate from point A to B.  Other parts of the ego like criticism and creating more problems are not always necessary or helpful.  So comes the idea that these thoughts should be examined.

When I began examining my thoughts, I started to judge the thoughts I had as positive or negative and believed I needed to get rid of all the negative thoughts to become a bundle of enlightened bliss!  In doing this, I just created more judgement and conflict in my consciousness, and I felt worse.   Often the ego mind is very busy with a lot of positive and negative chatter that doesn’t really define a person unless they act on the thoughts.   It is only by witnessing both the positive and negative thoughts that the mind creates that there is freedom.  Freedom from thoughts comes by not getting so wrapped up in any of the mind’s creations (good or bad) because the thoughts both positive and negative will always be there.

By cultivating a loving acceptance of the ego, I can still choose which thoughts to act or expand on, but with less judgments, resistance, and suffering.  When I catch myself lost in my mind, I lightly and kindly say to myself, “there are some thoughts.”  I don’t have to examine, judge, and analyze where my consciousness went.  I can just neutrally notice I was thinking.  The mind thinks and I love that it does!  I love my mind.  The key is noticing and accepting when you are lost in thinking and not engaged in what is happening right now in this moment.  A meditation practice helps for the noticing to happen, but also doing activities that you are very present and engaged in can build this same awareness.

It is a non-judgmental awareness that helps build a greater foundation of bliss consciousness beyond the ego with more ease and gentleness.  The practice of being more kind toward the ego also helps in being more kind and accepting of other’s egos.  Don’t fight judgement with judgement.  To grow in acceptance be aware of, but non-judgmental of all of the thoughts that filter though.  Know that they are just thoughts.  You are not your thoughts.  Not only will your bliss consciousness grow, but so will your ability to love and accept all that is.