“It's Not Our Culture, it's Our Instincts"

He yelled out "I'm the greatest", which was quite braggadocio of him actually. Only to ensure sheer contempt from all of any watching. An exclamation of brilliance, excellence or confidence stated so emphatically can't help but be abhorred in such an insecure society. All living in quiet desperation. To this, I pose a new question, what is ego as we stand to know it? Could we feasibly infer that it may just be another cog in our wheel house of anatomy? A neurological precursor rooted in selfish genes, focused solely on our survival? My argument is not placed upon unlikable, braggadocio's. In fact, I agree, keep them at a distance; my following statement is geared toward, "Ego" itself and its very definition.

Fighting, fleeting, freezing in its tracks the marsupial vigorously battles daily for survival. Almost robotically, false of any deeper purpose or meaning he struggles. Facts would beg that due to the lack of self-cognition and specific brain evolution, this would prove the case. Whether these scientific assumptions be true or false, what can we learn from lower conscious animal life forms? Behaviors, rituals habitual actions set daily by lesser cognitive beings on this "big blue rock" can express to us a deeper meaning of ourselves. An understanding of something seemingly complex, but profoundly simple, “Ego".

Forged over a million millennia life and death have tussled hand in hand to bring us to where we are today. Through painstaking, universal design the reptilian instincts are our most primitive cranial inhabitant. This so-called crocodile brain gives life to our "instincts". Accepted by many to rule decision making, flight, fight or freeze responses. Arguably, we may all be subject to many a millions of years of evolution. Consistently dictating our unconscious mind and affecting our conscious actions. If that may be true then another question arises, "do we truly have free will"? Regardless of any accredited explanation of that curious question, an answer is not my agenda today. My only mission is to clear up a colossal "elephant in the room". An unfortunate myth understanding about us, our mind and "what is ego".

Back to the marsupial, this creature navigating the world through what could be expressed as a gold ball sized consciousness isn't alone. In fact, most humans among us may be in the exact same "ego driven" boat he's in.

A sudden realization, a flash of genius, an aha! moment blew my mind whilst studying neurological case studies one afternoon. I suffice it to say ego is simply, “an expression of perceiving ones closest physical environment through its instinctual primitive brain". This an aspect or observation of what exists to the naked eye from a view point of an unconscious or less aware being.

Primarily, all mammals, reptiles and the like operate through this standpoint of the brain. Contrary to humans, not by choice, but by biological creed. Yes, humans have an unfair advantage, this is "choice". For whatever humorous reasoning, the Universe decided without our consent to grant us conscious ability above the rest of our living cousins. This fact does pose another significant question. What could be the value or worth of any human so gifted with universal conscious to ultimately under utilize their ability and solely operate out of their primitive brain, their ego? Ego as in a new found understandable definition, the reptilian mind, fight, flight or freeze.

A surefire example of one living through "ego", unconscious to their mind power would be as follows, "one walks into the nearest clothing store in a rush. Unsure of where to go and not quite sure which size or fit they need for their gift. They're pressed for time and aren't too familiar with the store’s inventory or layout. logically, assistance would be a reasonable request. This isn't exactly what takes place, the associate hired to help, pleasant enough and knowledgeable in the stores says, "can I help you" as the customer in a rush walks in. Quickly, without thought or hesitation he retorts, "no thank, you I’m ok". As you read this, can you relate? I can relate, I don't know how many times I snubbed help whilst I truly did need it during a shopping trip. Prior to training in emotional intelligence especially, I've been guilty as charged. The question we must come to answer is why do we do what we do? Also, how can we understand it and adjust our behavior so we rule our lives now our instinctual programming. When we are approached by strangers we react. We react with our instincts and it's usually not with a hug. Actually, it's derived either fight, flight or freeze. Just like when shopping and getting approached by an associate whom we do not know we react the same. The fact here to be understood are that these illogical responses are not us. Perfectly so, this is our universal design acting on our behalf, completely unconscious to us, but as real as the air we breathe. The take away from all of this is simple. We cannot control what we don't understand. If we presume to live through our ego then that is to live in the 21st century society as a crocodile would float down the Nile. A lower consciousness and surely a lower expectation, success and life. It's a level of unconscious incompetency of this matter that plagues humanity, for it isn't not human, it is animal. Something of this magnitude truly is so important, yet so discreet that it has the power to destroy us. Justly so, we cannot fix what we don't know we don't know.

The challenge I pose to you my friend, my dear reader is as follows. Next time you feel compelled to make a quick decision in reaction to someone or an event ask yourself these few short questions. Is this me or my ego? What could benefit from me reacting differently? Why do I feel this way? Pause yourself, take a few, long deep breaths and question yourself, logically how may I benefit? Utilize your evolved brain, your frontal lobe, your logic, we may call it emotional intelligence or an increased awareness of ourselves, which it is. Focus solely on your conscious understanding of the thoughts, feelings and emotions that swirl in your mind. Finally, by doing so you may be free. Free of this ancient part of us all, free of your "ego".

Your friend, Jay Doran