Course Note #120: Letting go of the ego

In a recent teaching I shared a message from “Holy Spirit Guides” on letting go of the ego.*  Over the years I have learned many ways to let go of ego, through meditation, prayer and focusing on a thought given by Spirit Within.  This message highlights 6 steps for letting go of the ego through the practice of mind-watching.

Step one: Watch the thoughts in your mind.  Do not fall asleep and accept them without seeing them.

            Here, the word “accept” can be synonymous with the word believe.  To sleep, is to believe the thoughts in the mind without seeing them.  Even though we don’t see them, we still listen to them, believe them and act on them.  Let's say I have a thought about not having enough money.  I listen to this thought, and if I believe it is true I may then act on it by feeling more fear, or feeling that I must do something to fix the situation. However, through mind-watching I come to see the thought of lack, and then I realize that I don’t have to accept such thoughts as true.

            I’ve found it helpful to notice that even though it seems like I think about many things, there is often a theme for the day, which could be one of lack and limitation, unworthiness, guilt, fear, attack/defense or feeling victimized.  Once I see the content of my thoughts, then…I can more readily let them go.

           

Step two:  Choose to let ego thoughts rest and fall quiet in your mind.  Give no additional power to them.

            I’ve learned several practices over the years to let ego thoughts rest, but recently I have been prompted to the practice of mantra and surrender (see previous blogs on this).  As I began the practice I was guided back to these messages on watching the mind.  I have found that taking deep breaths and practicing the mantra very slowly has been so helpful in resting the mind and quieting the ego thoughts: I am that I am.  I am as God.

In this way I cease giving power to the ego thoughts.

Step three:  Ask Me for My Thoughts, and hold them Dear in your mind.  Repeat them.  Contemplate them.  Feel gratitude for them.

            This step harkens to the practice of surrender as taught in The Teachings of Inner Ramana, which I wrote about in “course note” #116.  So at this point, I have watched the thoughts in my mind and quieted my mind, now I can ask: What am I to do/see/think now? 

            A prayer that has been helpful for me is this:

Holy Spirit,

Help me see this person/situation

through your vision of Love,

rather than through the eyes of

judgment and fear.

            Of course, the workbook of A Course in Miracles contains 365 practices of mantra and surrender, and even though I didn’t think of the lessons this way previously, they were still powerful tools to redirect my mind.

Step four:  Turn to your willingness.  Cherish it as your Strength.

            “If you will focus your willingness on the part of your mind that wants the truth above everything else, you will find that willingness will grow.”  (NTI Galatians 5v2-6.4)

                “Within the quiet mind, you first want to find your willingness.  Rest the mind and call to your willingness.  You know it is there.  It has led you to this moment of asking for it.  Your purpose now is only to bring it more fully into awareness.  Focus on it, that it may stream more fully within you.  Your focus gives it flight, so as you give it focus, it fills you.”  (NTI Galatians 6v1-5.9-15)

Focus on your willingness as if it is your truth,

because it is.

Focus on your willingness as if it holds the answer to all questions,

because it does.

Focus on your willingness as if it is everything to everyone,

because it is.

Focus on your own willingness.

That is Love Alive within the world.

                                                                        (NTI Galatians 5v7-12.31-35)

            I certainly have nothing to add. ;)

Step five:  Follow My Guidance in peace and confidence, for you are truly being led.  There are no accidents.  Everything works together for good.

            Through learning to stop listening to the ego, we become available to hear and follow inner guidance.  Trust the healing process.  Trust that you are being healed, even now.

Step six:  Watch the thoughts in your mind.  Remember that you have a choice as to what you will believe.

            Here we are again…watch the thoughts in your mind.  When I see the thoughts, I realize that I then have a choice:  Do I want to believe these thoughts of unworthiness, or lack and limitation?  Do I want to believe these thoughts of victimization, or thoughts that I am guilty?  Do I want to teach my brother through these false thoughts and beliefs?  No.  I am willing to choose again.

            The message ends with this: “This is all I ask of you.  This is the process that will usher in miracles, which will carry you to your point of full willingness.  Do not worry as to when.  Worry is of the ego.  Let the worry rest.  Be patient and love yourself, even as I love you.”

             Wow, is this a wonderful message or what? Here’s to ushering in miracles! Cheers!

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            In the audio I share more on the steps, and also on a message called “The Bus Analogy” which is more on mind-watching and resting.** 

         Enjoy!

 
 

 
   
 

 

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* This message is called “Letting go of the ego” and can be found at: http://www.reginadawnakers.com

in the “monthly archives” dated, November 20, 2005.  She also has an audio on this teaching that can be found on her site under “teachings” and it’s called: “Breaking the habit of listening to ego, part 1”

** This message can be found in the “monthly archives” dated December 8, 2007.