The Thick Lagoon of Ego

Is this about a human or G-d... And does it imply that G-d is bad? It occurs to me that everything this says about a human with an ego could also be said of G-d:

He has an opinion of how each person should be, how each thing should be done. These are the mitzot.

Those who follow His commandments are called "good", those who dare dance their own dance, he kills.

We all have has only Himself, for He is all that exists in the world.

We can debate whether being like that is good or bad. But if it is bad, then G-d is not good. And if G-d is like the person described here and it is good to be like G-d, then the person depicted is good. Reply

I know. The solution. Live and let live? Restrain comments and points of view? Accept? Try to find reality? How to judge so as to establish a rightful opinion? Pray the Almighty. I see no other way out. (I am analytical and judgmental) Reply

Noahide negative/complete Estrangements Example: If only the folks that falsely judged Noahide believers, were to read/study - Hebrew/translations of scriptures for themselves, they would perceive Torah Truths, and there would be less alienation and estrangement among best of friends and loved ones.
So be it...Amen. Reply

Tear Down your Wall This wall is your ego. It separates us from others, just like a lagoon is separated from the rest of the water around it by a barrier.

This wall blocks us from allowing others into our world.

This wall thickened until we saw the self as separate, individual, private.

This wall blocks G_d's light from entering our world - Godliness is only revealed in the unity between us.

Until we correct the connections between us our world grows dimmer from exiling G_d's Light. Reply

Ego, or Following G-d? What's the wisdom when the others, pejoratively called by this writer, "enemies," dance their dance outside of, and even opposed to, G-d's expectations? Should the person continue to be "lonely" without the others, or "make some room" for them? Reply

Ego and Judgment I find it interesting how many of the comments have centered on the negativity of judgment, forgetting that judgment also has positive aspects. Because of the overall negativity of judgment, something I was guilty of, my solution was to find a different word - I use discernment which works on negative as well as positive.

An extreme example would be to sniff the milk in a container showing it is past the expiration date - obviously, it smells foul, one will discern or make the judgment that the milk needs to be discarded. Experience has taught me that even though the milk smells okay that is smart to take a small sip before pouring it on one's bowl of cereal.

Discernment works well with regards to one's relationship with people, too. There is not enough space to cite examples, so I will finish my comment by saying that the hidden blessing through this small change has been many friends - friendships that would have never existed in my former judgmental state. Reply

Walking the talk? I accept and try to be a person like that suggested in this bit of meditative thought. I confess to being confused about it since the Torah and the commentaries in the Talmud are quite replete with the kind of judgements about how one should think and do in life. Not only is the Torah the origin of over 600 ways we should live, but the rabbinical pronouncements make the list of how we should think and do even longer. Yet, here we have advice seemingly to the contrary. In my personal experience I have found the general demeanor of most of my fellow Jews to be highly judgmental and opinionated about how others should live their lives. It is difficult to come to terms with this wisdom when the actions of so many in authority and leadership positions runs counter to my personal beliefs and this very wisdom. Reply

Ego Shalom! Thanks Edna of Quebec. That struck a cord. Am a non-jew. Was studying the portion why Abraham left his father's household....if I see it with a secular view, was just a matter or difference of opinion. From Terah and Nahor's point of view. Reckon being trapped in the 'thick lagoon of the ego' would be apt for Abram. From G d's point, it was the other way around. Would this reasoning or insight be correct? Thank you. Reply

Well put. Thanks for posting! Reply

Ego Interesting that those who claim they have no ego post anonymous. If you have found youself without any of your "former friends" it might be wise to look for the "log" in your own eye. Reply

Anonymous " I am grateful that I am not as judgmental as all the censorious self-righteous people around me. "
-- Anonymous

Any comments ? Reply

Judging people is a no no!! There is a saying that unless one walks in the shoes of another person for a length of time one should refrain from being judgemental of this person.

Only God can judge. We humans are in no position to do so, for we are fallible beings with many faults.

Judgemental, critical people are people who have too much time on their hands, and thus do nothing constructive.

They should try and understand where the person/s they are judging are coming from, and respect their differences instead of treating these differences as personal affronts.

People who do not fit the mold of ego-centric judgemental characters have often had a very interesting and enriching life as well as endured personal tragedies.

They may be very artistic, very erudite and gracious, and have very differing opinions because of their unique background.

Many may have at one time been immigrants and/or refugees and had to adapt..and they did adapt. Those who criticise have never adapted to anything. Reply

The thick laggon of ego The situations that come into the lives of egotistical people will tell them their attitude is wrong by showing them something in their life that will change them if they are lucky. This is G-d showing all people with an ego heart that they need to change. Reply

very nice Thank you for putting judgmental people in their place. It's not so much about having friends because birds of a feather flock together.

It's only human to be judgmental. The idea is to reduce that affliction as much as possible. In that regard you cannot use Hashem nor Moses as examples. They were very direct in their judgments on the Jewish people. They judged the person , not the behaviour. They did not pussyfoot around. The Jews were made to wander the desert for 40 years because they were unfit to enter Israel. The Book of Deuteronomy is a review by Moses of his unfit people, that they were directly responsible for his not being allowed into Israel.. It is important to judge people. In nonthreatening situations it is important to suspend judgement and then to judge as positively as possible. If the situation is threatening then you make a snap judgment. Decisions and opinions are judgmental terms. There is not agreement on a definition of judgmental. Inflated ego is helpful. Reply

ego I wonder why I don't have a clue as to your latest post? U quote- would u please write what you did ,but in different way? Thanks. Rachelle Reply

I would love to share this with 100% of my former acquaintances. Unfortunately, I have blocked them from my email addresses, phone book and social media pages. Thank you for this valuable insight. Reply

Egoism Haha! This describes so many of my relatives and "enemies" I have! Reply

Ego There are many misconceptions about Ego. In fact Ego is a very useful thing if we know how and when to use it. All things are created for a purpose...
But I agree with the article when Ego is misused one falls into a limbo. Reply

The thick lagoon of ego This is so true.

It applies 100% to a couple of people I know, but I could not describe this trait in such apt wording.

I used to believe they were narrow minded, because they were insecure, uncultured and spoilt, but I see now that this attitude is due to an inflated ego

Thank you for sharing this wisdom Reply