Ego death is letting go of your ego to the very core. It is losing your egoistic identity and realizing that we are so much more than the body, the material belongings, or what we are perceived to be in the material world. In the real practical world, ego death may seem like losing your mind, being dreamy, or not being practical enough.
In a world where we believe we are our intellect and identify ourselves with our physical bodies, ego death is a rare phenomenon. Yet, it is a possibility we all aspire for as souls. Let’s delve deeper into what ego death actually is, how to attain it, and whether it is even worth it.
What is Ego Death
The idea that we are necessarily one consciousness is the driving force and the profound idea behind ego death. Ego death would necessarily mean that your subconsciousness not just agrees to the idea of oneness, but lives it.
Ego death marks the dissolution of the ego, the aspect of the self that identifies as separate and distinct from others. During this experience, individuals may undergo a profound dissolution of their usual sense of identity, leading to a state where the boundaries between self and the external world blur, if not completely vanish.
It is as if the individual is temporarily liberated from the constraints of their ego, allowing them to perceive and experience reality without the filters of personal biases, judgments, and separateness.
How Does Ego Death Feel Like?
Wondering what ego death feels like? While the experience may vary for each individual, there are certain signs and sensations commonly associated with this transformative state. Here are some indicators that you may be experiencing ego death or are in the initial stages of it:
- You feel that work is done through you and not by you. You are a mere instrument of doing good, bad, or nothing at all, and there is rather a higher force in action through you.
- While you may possess incredible talents and skills, you remain grounded and humble, never seeking attention or validation. Your actions and abilities become a natural expression of your authentic self, devoid of ego-driven motives.
- Ego death opens your eyes to the beauty and wonder of the world. You find inspiration in the simplest of things, such as the delicate intricacy of a leaf, the soothing rhythm of water, the majesty of forests, the vastness of the sky, and the serenity of sand.
- You develop a deep appreciation for the perfection inherent in imperfections, embracing everyone just as they are.
- Ego death brings a profound sense of peace and acceptance towards the present moment. You find it challenging to perceive anything as truly “wrong” in life, as you are more attuned to the underlying harmony and interconnectedness of all things. This acceptance allows you to experience a deeper state of tranquility and contentment.
- Ego death may lead you to withdraw from conventional social circles or become a center of healing for others. As you let go of your egoic identity and merge with the oneness of all, typical social gatherings may lose their appeal. However, your wisdom and authenticity may naturally attract people seeking guidance and inspiration.
- You will be cleared of karmic relationships and baggage.
Why Should You Aim for Ego Death
Ego death is a natural part of our spiritual journey. Picture it as something woven into the very essence of who we are. At the soul level, there exists a natural inclination to release the illusion, or the ‘Maya,’ that shapes our perceptions of the visible and tangible. Acknowledging that this perceived reality is not the ultimate truth, but rather a myth, pushes us towards higher consciousness. Ego death is a step closer to that journey and is an important milestone in reconnecting with our true selves.
Ultra-focused
Ego death isn’t a predicament to success in your career. In fact, ego death can help you identify your true purpose of life and work towards it with an ultra-focused approach and dedication. As you let go of your ego, you will stop working to please others or seek external validation, and rather become aligned with your inner calling. Most people with no ego often demonstrate exceptional skills and a deep passion for their work, as they are driven by intrinsic motivation rather than the need for approval.
Fulfilling Relationships
Ego death liberates you from unnecessary ego rifts and insecurities in relationships. You develop limited but deeply fulfilling connections with a close circle of friends and family. By prioritizing the happiness and well-being of those around you, you create harmonious and authentic relationships. Your genuine presence and ease of being make you a joy to be with.
Invite Inevitable Peace
Ego death invites inevitable peace into your life. By transcending the limitations of the ego, you release attachments to outcomes and surrender to the flow of life. This surrender brings a deep sense of inner calm and contentment, allowing you to navigate challenges with grace and equanimity. Ego death enables you to experience a profound sense of peace in the present moment, free from the burdens of past regrets and future anxieties.
Is Ego Death a Conscious Effort
Attaining ego death can involve conscious efforts and deliberate actions. Initiating the journey towards ego death requires introspection and a deep understanding of oneself, including the origins and influences of the ego. As ego is deeply ingrained in society, embarking on the path of ego death can be challenging, defying societal norms and expectations.
However, as you progress on this transformative journey, you may find that the universe supports you, and life unfolds in synchronistic ways. While the initial phase may demand significant effort, the later stages of the journey may feel more natural and effortless, as if you are in flow with the cosmic currents.
How to Attain Ego Death
Attaining ego death involves various practices and approaches that facilitate the dissolution of the egoic self. Here are some effective ways to embark on this transformative path:
1. Opening of Crown Chakra
Opening of the Crown Chakra, which is the seventh chakra, invites ego death. This divine chakra serves as a doorway to accessing the wisdom of the universe and experiencing a sense of oneness with all beings. This oneness delves into the blurring of physical distinction or lack of boundaries between energies. Our collective energy can be felt in unity, literally.
Opening of the crown chakra, however, isn’t common. While you can find innumerable ways to open the other six chakras, there is almost none to open the Crown Chakra. So then, how can you go about attaining it? Meditation and unparalleled faith in the universe are the only guiding factors that can bring you closer to the opening of the crown chakra and ego death.
To initiate the opening of the Crown Chakra, it is essential to cultivate a regular meditation practice. Meditation allows us to quiet the mind and connect with the divine energy within us. Through deep meditation, we can let go of our conscious thoughts and focus on the profound stillness, thereby shedding the layers of egoic identity.
2. Highest Consciousness
Raising consciousness goes beyond simply doing good or feeling good; it involves an unconditional belief in the positivity of life’s flow and the understanding that every life event holds a hidden purpose and lesson.
For the highest consciousness, we must cultivate a fearless mindset and engage in activities without attachment to outcomes. This requires us to have unwavering faith in our own capabilities, remember that we can taken care of, and trust in the wisdom of the universe. By practicing this mindset, we can transcend our limitations and move closer to ego death.
3. Meditation
Meditation serves as a powerful tool in the journey towards ego death. By practicing meditation, we can detach ourselves from unnecessary egoic attachments and cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness. There are various meditation techniques that can aid in this process:
- Mantra Meditation: This involves the repetition of a sacred word or phrase, such as “Om” or “I am one with the universe.” The chanting of mantras helps to quiet the mind and align our energy with the divine.
- Breath Meditation: Focusing on the breath allows us to anchor our awareness in the present moment. By observing the inhalation and exhalation of breath, we can let go of distracting thoughts and enter a state of deep relaxation.
- Light Meditation: Visualizing a bright, radiant light within us can help us connect with our inner divinity. By immersing ourselves in this light, we can dissolve the ego and experience a profound sense of unity.
- Loving-Kindness Meditation: This practice involves cultivating feelings of love, compassion, and kindness towards ourselves and others. By extending these positive emotions, we can dissolve egoic barriers and foster a sense of interconnectedness.
- Body Scan Meditation: By systematically scanning our body and observing physical sensations without judgment, we can develop a deeper connection with our physical being. This practice promotes self-acceptance and reduces egoic identification with the body.
Through regular meditation practice, we can cultivate a state of inner stillness and transcend the limitations of the ego, bringing us closer to the transformative experience of ego death.
4. Detached Awareness
Bringing detached awareness to every moment is another profound way to keep your mind away from the ego state. To do this, bring your awareness completely to the present moment, even if it is drinking tea, interacting with your loved ones, preparing for an exam, or cleaning your room. Be completely absorbed in the present moment, yet remain completely detached from it.
This doesn’t mean you have to let go of your emotions, but instead, embrace them all without fear or judgment. Detached awareness is embracing everything in life, including people, emotions, and situations, with full awareness in a non-judgmental way.
5. Astral Travel
Astral travel is a conscious out-of-body experience in which you feel like leaving your physical body temporarily and getting a bigger perspective that cannot be visualized otherwise. It is important to note that out-of-body experiences may not necessarily indicate astral travel. While out-of-body experiences are largely caused by near-death experiences, medical conditions, sleep paralysis, certain drugs, or acute stress, astral travel is a conscious effort to move out of the body in deep meditative states.
Nonetheless, both astral travel and out-of-body experiences have the power to dissolve your ego and move closer to ego death. The temporary detachment from the physical body allows for a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings and a dissolution of egoic boundaries. It is important to note that astral travel requires caution and should only be practiced with proper guidance and preparation.
Caution Check for Ego Death
Embarking on the path to ego death can be a challenging and confusing journey, especially for those new to the experience. It is crucial to remember that you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Trust your intuition and reach out for support when needed. Seek guidance from spiritual teachers, therapists, or like-minded individuals who can provide the necessary support and guidance.
Additionally, it is essential to ensure that your chakras are aligned and practice grounding exercises regularly. Grounding helps to bring your awareness back to the present moment and reconnect with the physical reality, balancing the spiritual and material aspects of life.
Conclusion
Attaining ego death is a transformative process that requires introspection, mindfulness, and a willingness to let go of preconceived notions. It involves peeling away the layers of identity constructed by societal norms, allowing us to access a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the universe.
As we shed the layers of egoic identity, we become more aligned with our true selves and experience a sense of oneness with all beings. Embracing this transformation, we open ourselves up to a world of infinite possibilities and personal growth.
Remember, the path to ego death is unique for each individual. Trust your intuition, be patient with yourself, and celebrate every step forward on your personal growth journey.
