Living the Metaphor

Ego is like a never-ending audio book, a story line with plot twist after plot twist. No judgments, no labels, or assumptions are ever omitted in this ongoing commentary on the life experience.

Fortunately, metaphors abound, such as Joseph Campbell’s:

God is a metaphor for that which transcends

 all levels of intellectual thought.

It’s as simple as that.

(PBS’ “Power of Myth Series” with Bill Moyers)

In order to transcend, I must “push out of my own existence.” It’s not a matter of stifling the ego, ever. It is a matter of soaring along side of it.

Co-existence with ego is “following my bliss.” As Campbell said, bliss is not all fun; on that, my ego and I agree. Occasionally, we know moments of flight but intense presence requires acute awareness.

We are not yet that intimate, even after all this time.

Like two golden birds perched on the selfsame tree, intimate friends,

the ego and the Self dwell in the same body.

The former eats the sweet and sour fruits of the tree of life,

while the latter looks on in detachment.

Mundaka Upanishad

It is a lifetime practice, this living of metaphor.

Aim for Even posts offer equanimity in daily doses. No day or dose is ever the same, even if the aim is. You may read about the origins of Aim for Even here or on this site’s About page.