Ego And The Views That Protect It
by Lisa Goddard
We have been exploring fixed views and this talk looks at what’s operating behind our views and perceptions. What is known as egoic clinging. To begin, we have to look at and understand what is the ego? In psychology, “ego” refers to the way that we function. A healthy ego allows us to navigate life, set boundaries, and relate to others. We need a healthy self-image to get dressed every day, care for our families or ourselves, make decisions, and act responsibly. A healthy ego is expressed through being adaptable, resilient and caring. So that’s in the psychological context; and Buddhism isn’t denying the need for this. A healthy ego in the Buddhist sense would be a flexible identity. The Buddha taught that what we call “ego” or “self” is not fixed or permanent. It’s a mental construct. In Buddhist terms, “ego” usually points to the habit of identifying with experiences, with views, or roles as who we truly are. When we cling to these as “me” or “mine,” suffering arises.
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