Leo is the Sign Most Closely Associated with the Ego

The following does not solely pertain to people who have their Sun in Leo. Every person has every sign somewhere in their chart. The Sun is the ruling ‘planet’ (luminary) of Leo and since everyone one has a Sun Sign, everyone has an ego. So, beyond the Sun, Moon, Rising Sign and/or other planets in Leo and/or on the house cusp of one’s Sun Sign and/or in the 5^th House and/or in aspect to the Sun, all of which are strong indicators of Leo, all people have Leo somewhere. Before I continue to outline the nature of the ego in relation to the sign of Leo, I want to further say that Leo can be that factor in one’s Birth chart that activates the greatest generosity, creative ability, fun, passion, lovability and playfulness etcetera of all. 

The difference between a more conscious and a less conscious person can basically be understood as the former ‘has’ an ego, while the latter ‘is’ an ego. In other words, we are either functioning from a soul-centered place or from an ego-centric place. The ability to sustain a soul-centered state is truly the mark of a more advanced soul. More often even people ‘on the spiritual path’ will waver between being soul centered and ego-centric. A core feature, therefore, of being on the path is about learning to observe and be more aware of how, where and when ego-centric behaviour gets the better of the situation.

Traditionally, ego-centric people are deemed to be proud, superior and arrogant. These remain accurate indications. However, what is more subtle than these is where, how and when we are stuck, unconscious, prone to denial, resistant to change and unwilling to at least entertain new and different perspectives. These constitute the more subtle and elusive expressions of ego-centrism. Everyone has an ego, actually. The notion of ‘transcending’ the ego is valid enough, but again it largely has to do with if, where and how one is connected to their source. Denial of the ego presents its own danger. The ego can be very tricky and assuming that we do not have one can be the beginning of it taking over.

Having an ego remains the operative word. This acknowledgement then allows us to deal with the implications of it. In their ego expression, a person may be wise, insightful, knowledgeable, solemn, humble, sincere, contemplative loving, giving and other such qualities of being. Any one or combination of these expressed by a person does not imply that the person does not have an ego. It may imply a more advanced and mature, refined or evolved soul. Cultivating such qualities is good. Also important is coming into authentic self-expression whereby we learn to be and express who we are. Where imbalances or excesses exist, as they commonly do, we can choose and learn to refine and balance these in recognition that they are not so much who we are as they are expressions of how we are. This is where the notion of ‘transcending’ the ego comes into focus again. As we focus upon healing and balancing such complexes and even if one makes steady and measurable process, this does not imply that they no longer have an ego. What it does imply is that they have a more healthy, refined and conscious ego.

The tricky thing about understanding the ego is that it is not bad or evil in and of itself. In fact, from the standpoint of having an ego, it is how we meet the world and it is the vehicle through which we meet others and participate. Through the ego personality we interact, cooperate, have fun, and enjoy life, experience pleasurable and so on. Our Ego is that aspect of ourselves through which we meet and participate and engage with others and life in general. It is our personality and style. The more we 'have' an ego, the more we can learn to enjoy it without getting lost in it.  Only the perception of ego when it is anchored in fears which, as a consequence of a scattered mind and vice versa, has the affect of dividing the heart, leans toward the expression of evil. Further, the denial of lack of acknowledgment of ego is the beginning of confusion and misunderstanding and the process of working spiritually to put it in its place which is a question of right relationship within our selves initially and subsequently with others. This right relationship implies awakening to, acknowledging and cultivating soul-centeredness. As this inner communion progresses, so too will outer communion and the flexible capacity to recognize and to meet others wherever and however they are centered. This does not mean we will engage in deep relationship with them and so forth. It implies that we can at least accept our connectedness to them. This deeper sense of oneness and connection is the key consideration. With this in place, outer conflicts and callous interactions or condemnable attitudes begin to dissolve. Genuine understanding, empathy and compassion can they function as they are truly meant to.

Now, what is also important is to ask: what to do? The answers are many. However, they begin with recognizing the ego for what it is and where it is, within. Should we seek to destroy it, it might be asked? No, simply be aware of its existence. That is the first step. Attempts to destroy or annihilate the ego, as is the customary translation in the west from Eastern Spirituality will only increase it, just as would be the case in the endeavour to destroy or annihilate evil. Again, the ego is not evil, but destruction of it is. This is the message of the Ages and what Eckart Tolle in his Power of Now books and A New Earth has successfully endeavoured to re-activate in our culture at this time. I especially like Practicing the Power of now for the reasons the title suggests. There are many other resources available as well. The main point is that one become aware of the importance of the process of being more aware and of cultivating heart centeredness. When it is operative, we no longer feel the need to excessively defend our own position, or religion, or philosophy. Rather, we learn to accept other people’s choices, needs and styles without the fear of threat of differences. Given the continued prejudice and violence that exists in the world between religious factions, it is apparent that we collectively have work to do.

As we practice being aware of the ego's existence we come to realize that there is someone who is watching and it comes from within and what it is watching is also within. However, the watcher will begin to notice that while the ego begins from within, it is actually also very active without, according to its nature. In addition to ego, it is called personality. More essentially yet, it is called personal consciousness and awareness. It thereby posses perceptions that accumulate into beliefs and formulated self-concepts through contrast and comparison and experience. In other words this ego thing is very much alive and it is alive in me, and you and everyone and it is everywhere.

The ego, and its experiential round as an extension of the soul, is simply the apparent, perceptual illusion that it is separate from everything else and, therefore, is somehow alone. We can be distinct and different but we are always connected to others and life in general intrinsically. The notion of separation is perhaps the greatest issue regarding the ego. This is where the fear comes in because after all here on ground zero of the playing field of the game of life, there may be pleasure but there is also pain. Separation, loneliness, inferiority and the like are a major source of pain because it is contrary to the nature and essence of the soul as intrinsically connected to all of life. It is the grandest illusion of all. The very thought of pain is painful, and the memory of pain is painful and so on. And due to this single all important factor -pain, the ego can find itself lost in a flurry of endlessly chasing its tale. We have all probably seen a dog do that at least once in our lives and it is quite delightful and even funny. But, actually that is exactly what the ego does and what all of our egos tend to do, at least occasionally and sometimes often. And we have been in places at times with our pants down to our very ankles, like perhaps the last time you went to the washroom? Yes, the ego can be like a dog chasing its tale. As the process continues we can get lost in the ego and basically fall asleep to the fact that it has consumed us. Feelings of isolation ans separation, fear and chronic anger and so on are some of the obvious signs, in addition to pride and arrogance.

When the ego recognizes that it is one with everything and everyone and every when and where, then it remembers that the apparent separateness of reality is actually an illusion – a game it plays on its self to be able to more fully engage in the game of life. It remembers that relationship is not just something you do or do not ‘have’, it remembers and recognizes that life is relationship and relationship is life. This recognition and reflective self-awareness begins to activate the witness which is the soul and thereby greater self-control and feelings of love, confidence, faith, freedom and connectedness.

Beyond the process of witnessing is that of learning to be heart-centered. This is a synonym to being soul-centered.  Learning to think with our heart and feel with our mind is a good sign. The heart is the unifier and the mind is the divider. Both serve necessary functions. However, when the mind is in the command position, the heart can find little opportunity to function as it is designed to. Intuition is the operative word in this case. The heart unifies and communes with life and functions on the basis of intuition. Interestingly, this serves to not only activate a more open mind, but also increases awareness and intelligence. So, when the heart center is actively in command, the mind is open and feels connected and wants to be of service and contribute to people and life in general. However, when the mind is in the command center, the heart tends to close, the mind narrows, intuitions do not flow, separateness is experienced, fear and survival become the operative norm, we become more prone to addictive behaviour and genuine service and contribution beyond our tight and narrow circle don’t even occur as considerations or if and when they do the action is brief and seldom, almost producing embarrassment, and people feel alone, separate, lack in energy and want to escape somehow.

Learning to be aware of what the ego is and how it functions is the first step towards liberation from its reactive grip. It is not ethical to do this basic spiritual work so much as it is wise. The result may be ethical and authentic. Yet, more importantly it is about freedom, on one hand, and a deeper connection to people and life, on the other. With the rise of the scientific world view, the ego has also grown. Through the gifts of science we have benefited measurably; but our science has also contributed to many major problems. The empirical stance of science was understandable in light of the grip of fear and religious dogma and corruption on the world, yet it has also caused us to separate from the soul and consequently from nature. The notion of forgetting or dismissing our science is highly unlikely and even unnecessary. However, the notion of recognizing the ego and ego-centeredness and cultivating the connection to soul via conscious intentions to be more heart centered is beyond being a good idea, our very survival and that of our planet may well depend upon it. The only real solution to the challenges of our times is a soul solution. Religion without science produces fear and dogma, science without religion produces materialism and separation. The science of the heart and soul is the way to a genuine and effective spirituality. This is where our collective roads have brought us and the time to act upon it is now.