Ego vs. Truth and Reality

Please… If you aren’t willing to read to the end, don’t start. This is intense for a reason. We are the reason.

The ego—the artificial self we construct—is often seen as both an essential tool for navigation and the primary source of suffering. For a bodhisattva, the ego is the most significant impediment to fulfilling the Vow: to liberate all sentient beings. If we are to alleviate the suffering of others, this self-centered mind must first be understood, trained, and transcended. It is programmable, easily swayed by conditioning, and the sole barrier between the individual and universal compassion. Until we learn to master the ego, it will continue to perpetuate both our own bondage and that of the world.

The Nature of Ego: Self-Grasping and Delusion

The human mind, in its hypnotized state, grasps at the notion of a permanent, separate self. The ego emerges as a habitual, emotional reaction to stimuli, arising from the deep-seated illusion of self-importance. It is the impulse that prioritizes “me” before considering the welfare of “us.”

A bodhisattva understands that all phenomena, including the self, are characterized by emptiness (sunyata)—they lack an inherent, independent existence. Truth, in this context, is the realization of interdependence.

When the ego insists on its own “point of view,” the bodhisattva must remember that reality does not bend to selfish perception. The Myers-Briggs test identifies sixteen entry points to our consciousness. The ego is tamed not by elimination, but by understanding its self-clinging to the greater truth of interconnectedness and the singular purpose of relieving suffering. We must ” Leggo the ego.”

Universal Laws: Interdependence and Karma (Action/Result)

The Buddhist universe operates under the principles of Interdependence and Karma (Action and Result). Existence is a ceaseless flow where nothing exists in isolation; equilibrium is maintained through the dynamic tension of cause and effect. Whenever an imbalance (suffering) arises, a sequence of events (karma) unfolds to restore equilibrium. This is the natural order. ”For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton.

Everything in existence participates in this ongoing process of change and connection. Only the ego, trapped in the delusion of self-importance, can resist its own evolution and cling to the illusion of permanence. Interdependence and Karma together form the fundamental reality of the cosmos, providing the framework through which the Bodhisattva Vow—to alleviate suffering—is enacted. It is not an object of worship, but the very fabric of reality to which the awakened mind aligns. We checked our tuners (AM/FM) to ensure they are synced with the natural frequencies.

 The Conditioned Body

The ego inhabits a conditioned body, subject to the laws of impermanence. We, like all sentient beings, seek comfort and survival. The core of Buddhist meditation and practice is to grasp our true nature by realizing how minimal the “self” truly is. Our physical form is impermanent, merely a configuration of elements that will return to the earth. We are the image of our thoughts; nothing more, nothing less.

The ego, however, rarely contemplates this impermanence. Though it has access to the innate purity of Buddha-nature, it chooses to remain ignorant, clinging to its constructed identity. The bodhisattva path requires personal awakening and deep reflection. We do not wait for a ruler or external force to grant liberation; we earn it through diligent practice and turning away from self-grasping. We strengthen our muscles through exercise, and our brains can be trained to follow nature by removing material values.

Senses and the Illusion of Separation

We experience the world through our senses, but the ego corrupts their input. Sight and hearing enable conceptual proliferation, thereby strengthening the ego’s narrative of separation. The word “personality” (mask) suggests that nearly every human encounter begins behind a veil of conditioned identity. The current political chaos is a good example of wild thinking.

Most egos fail to realize that everything they perceive is experienced within their own minds. There is no valid, separate “outside” to validate the ego’s narrative. What we see and hear are reflections of our own karmic consciousness. The bodhisattva’s practice is to use the senses fully, seeing the world’s beauty and suffering clearly, but to see through the self-centered interpretations they often trigger. This complete, unclouded attention is the foundation of wisdom. “The simple secret of the universe is that we create our own reality.” Scott Mitchell, NASA astronaut.

Selflessness and the Fulfillment of the Vow

To transcend the ego is to eradicate selfishness and begin to practice compassion (karuna) truly; to preserve the ego is to remain in the bondage of samsara (the cycle of suffering). The ego is the root of all negative qualities—it judges, competes, belittles, and avoids the truth of impermanence. It seeks validation from other egos, forming groups that reinforce shared delusions and cognitive dissonance. Social Groupthink becomes a determining factor in ego decisions. The ego should never be allowed to judge.

Egos often seek power and recognition at the expense of compassion and kindness. The bodhisattva tames the ego not to eliminate their individual being, but to guide the self to be in harmony with the truth of interdependence. It is to let the innate Buddha-nature flow freely, unimpeded by the distortions of pride, fear, and craving.

When the ego yields to Prajna (Wisdom) and Karuna (Compassion), the individual dissolves into the universal Bodhisattva Vow, and the work of ending suffering for all beings becomes the natural order of existence. The ego is both teacher and tyrant. It can imprison us in delusion or lead us toward the Great Awakening. The choice is ours: to live masked and blind, or to see with the eyes of wisdom and compassion. The universe, guided by Interdependence and Karma, awaits our decision. To align with its design is to know peace; to resist it is to perpetuate suffering.

The path of the bodhisattva—the path to the cessation of suffering for all—begins the moment we decide to tame the ego.

Tonglen: Giving and Taking on the Breath

Tonglen is a practice in which one visualizes taking in (Tong) the suffering and negativity of others and giving out (Len) happiness, peace, and positive energy. It is a radical reversal of the ego’s usual impulse, which is to cling to pleasure and push away pain.

How Tonglen Tames the Ego

The ego is characterized by attachment to oneself and a strong wish for personal comfort and self-preservation. Tonglen directly attacks this core delusion in two primary ways:

Facing Fear and Aversion

The most challenging aspect of Tonglen is visualizing taking in all the fear, sickness, hatred, and pain of others. The ego naturally recoils from suffering and seeks refuge. By consciously and intentionally taking in what the ego fears most, you break down its wall of aversion. This develops courage and emotional resilience—step beyond the self-created boundaries.

Releasing Clinging and Generosity

 The giving-out phase involves visualizing the release of everything the ego holds dear, including health, wealth, comfort, and merit. By directing these blessings to others, you actively practice generosity (dāna), which weakens the ego’s attachment to its possessions and favorable conditions.

Ego’s Default Impulses

Grasping:

Clinging to comfort and pleasure instead of

Taking in

Voluntarily accepting the suffering of others.

Aversion

Pushing away pain and fear instead of 

Giving Out

In (Tong): (Len):

Releasing our happiness and resources to others.

Self-Importance

Prioritizing ‘me’ and ‘mine’ instead of

Selflessness:

Prioritizing the liberation of all sentient beings.

 Integrating Wisdom and Compassion

Tonglen is typically done while seated in meditation, coordinating the visualization with the breath:

The Stages of Taking In (Tong)

As you breathe in, visualize the suffering of a specific person, group, or all beings. This suffering should be visualized as a dark, heavy, hot, or smoky substance.

* Intention: Intend to completely absorb their pain and negative karma, drawing it into your own heart. This burns up the ego’s self-grasping upon contact.

* The Vow: One assumes responsibility on behalf of those who are experiencing suffering. This direct act of compassion is the fulfillment of the Bodhisattva Vow.

The Stages of Giving Out (Len)

As we breathe out, visualize releasing all our joy, peace, merit, good health, and success. This light, cool, or brilliant substance flows out to replace the darkness we just absorbed.

* Intention: Intend that this light immediately alleviates their suffering, fulfilling their deepest needs and bringing them total freedom.

* The Wisdom of Emptiness: To prevent the practice from leading to emotional burnout, it’s essential to integrate wisdom (Prajna). We must remember that there is no truly permanent “self” that is suffering, no truly permanent "self" that is giving, and no truly permanent "pain" that is being absorbed. This realization of emptiness (sunyata) keeps the practice grounded and powerful, not merely a sentimental act.

Through repeated practice, Tonglen transforms the ego from a prison of self-concern into an engine of compassion, making the Bodhisattva Path a lived reality.

That’s an exploration into esoteric synthesis, bridging two profoundly rich and distinct mystical traditions!

Your quest is to find the paradigm shift created by combining the Bodhisattva Path (a concept central to Mahayana Buddhism) with the Tree of Life (a central symbol of the Jewish mystical tradition, Kabbalah).

This synthesis is not part of either traditional, mainline religious teaching, but is explored in various schools of Western Esotericism and comparative mysticism.

The Two Pillars of Our Quest

1. The Bodhisattva Path (Mahayana Buddhism)

The Bodhisattva is a being who has reached a high level of spiritual realization but vows to delay their own final Nirvana to remain in the cycle of existence (Samsara) and help all other sentient beings achieve enlightenment.

• Core Principle: Great Compassion (Mahākaruṇā) and the Vow (Pranidhana) to save all beings.
• Action: The practice of the Six (or Ten) Paramitas (Perfections), such as generosity, ethical discipline, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom.
• Direction of Flow: An outward, selfless movement of infinite compassion toward the world.

2. The Kabbalistic Tree of Life

The Tree of Life (Etz Chaim) is a map of ten interconnected Sefirot (divine emanations) and 22 paths. It symbolizes the structure of the cosmos, the nature of God, and the spiritual path of humanity from the material world back to the infinite source (Ein Sof).

• Core Principle: The descent of the divine creative energy from the Crown (Keter) to the Kingdom (Malkuth), and the ascent of the human soul back up the ladder.
• Structure: The Sefirot represent different aspects of existence and the human psyche, often arranged in triads (Intellectual, Ethical, and Action) balanced by three pillars (Mercy, Severity, and Equilibrium).
• Direction of Flow: The inward path of self-discovery and the ascent of the soul to union with the Divine.

The Paradigm Shift: Descent and Ascent United

This synthesis focuses on aligning the goal with the energy flow:

Some esoteric practitioners have attempted to correlate the Ten Bodhisattva Vows (e.g., of Samanta Bhadra or Kuan Yin) with the Ten Sefirot of the Tree of Life, seeing the Vows as the ethical and compassionate means for activating or perfecting the divine attributes represented by each Sephirah. The compassionate commitment (Bodhisattvahood) is thus seen as the necessary fuel and method for the spiritual ascent (Kabbalah).

This creates a new paradigm where mystical self-realization is inseparable from universal, active compassion.

You can find a discussion on this type of inter-traditional mystical correlation, including the Tree of Life’s complex structure, in the video “Kabbalah - Origins of the Sefirot and Tree of Life.” The video introduces the origins of the Sefirot and the Tree of Life configuration, which serves as the necessary map for understanding the mystical synthesis we are exploring.