Let's contemplate ego for the next few moments.
And for the sake of this conversation,
We'll define ego as one's sense of self,
As defined by the external world.
Okay,
So what does this have anything to do with contemplating death?
Well,
A lot.
According to Ram Dass,
We fear death not because of perceived future pain,
But rather because our ego fears the cessation,
Or ending,
Of its existence.
As stoic author Ryan Holiday states,
Ego is the pestilent child inside every person,
The need to be better than.
Ego pushes away feedback,
Realism,
Allies,
And opportunities that don't come gift wrapped.
Again,
You may be asking yourself,
What does this have anything to do with death and dying?
As humans,
We crave comfort in one sense or another.
Ego is the voice inside our heads that tells us what we want to hear in order to maintain homeostasis,
Comfort,
And consistency.
Okay,
Comfort and consistency.
For many of us,
Thinking about uncomfortable things is enough to send our egos spiraling into narratives,
Grasping for comfort,
Something to eat,
Drink,
Or smoke,
Or perhaps someone or something to provide validation.
The inevitability of death and dying can be one of those things,
As we are often taught to fear it.
So now,
Over the next few moments,
Let's imagine what might it be like if your ego asked death out on a date?
You heard me right,
But not a romantic date.
Something more of a casual meetup,
Somewhere familiar and safe.
What would this encounter be like?
Is your ego fearful and intimidated?
Or is your ego out there demanding to live forever,
Getting upset and making a scene?
Or perhaps it is curious about death.
With all of this work,
Remember,
There are never any right or wrong answers.
It is simply a playful exercise to help us get to understand ourselves just a little bit better.
So take another few moments here,
Imagining your ego and death meeting in a public space for the very first time.
And when you're ready and done with all of that,
Let that potentially awkward or inspirational experience go,
And stepping back into your day,
Knowing just how alive you are.
