A short YouTube monologue by Ben Greenfield arguing against the popular notion of "killing the ego." He acknowledges experiences that reduce ego (e.g., plant medicine, rites of passage) but frames ego as a human gift tied to consciousness and divine image; recommends balancing ego with love, service, faith, gratitude, and the Golden Rule rather than trying to dissolve it.
Lets talk about ego as I stand here shirtless. We hear a lot these days about killing the ego. Whether via a hefty dose of plant medicine, a rigorous rite of passage, or this idea of slipping into a state in which you experience the humbling fact that you aren't in control, that you need to release control, and that life is much more satisfying and meaningful when you try not to control every circumstance. Your ego is also a gift. As a human being created in the image of God, you're the only being living on the surface of this planet who can actually have awareness of and control your consciousness. A fact you should embrace, be proud about, and yes, even have a strong sense of ego and ownership about. Don't escape that. Don't dissolve that. Don't try to kill that. Instead, do this. Learn to love. See, ego without love is selfishness, hubris and worship of self. But ego with love is transformative. Ego with service, charity and community and faith and joy and gratitude, and living one's life by the Golden Rule is a healthy and enlightened state of existence.
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