Soul-Driven or Ego-Driven? That is the Question.

I think a very important part of the discussion around creating a Soul-Driven Life is in determining the difference between Ego and Soul.

There are some writers who would have us get rid of the Ego as quickly as possible, which, in our way of thinking in Soul Solitude, would mean a quick end to earthly life. We think the Ego is an important part that needs to be acknowledged and recognized for what it does for us. What we want to avoid is an Ego-Driven Life.

The Ego is a necessary part of us and definitely a part that we are wise to embrace. When it is in the driver's seat, however, in a relationship, that tenderness, availability, sensitivity and willingness is over-shadowed by the Ego needs.

We talk a lot about the Ego in Soul Solitude because we believe it is quite misunderstood. There are many who suggest that we must "kill the Ego" if we are to live spiritual lives. We say, "Not so." The Soul does not matter to the Ego, however, so the Ego truly resists our achieving Soul Solitude. The Ego is outwardly focused on acquiring, doing, keeping, having. The Ego thinks sitting is Soul Solitude is a waste of the precious time it believes is so limited!

The Ego leads us into interesting places...to say the least! Then, it is up to us to apply spiritual principles to where we find ourselves. That is the shift from Ego-Driven to Soul-Driven.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

Many blessings,
Rhoberta

Founder, Spiritual Living Network, www.SpiritualLivingNetwork.com
Co-Author, Soul Solitude: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, www.SoulSolitude.com

Do you have a soul? Are you a soul? Are you part of a Soul?

There is no end of inquiry on the spiritual path. I'm sure you've noticed that.

As I am writing Soul-Driven Living, I am having to pay great attention to the clarity I can bring to my thinking before I can actually write the book. That seems imperative. So, the questions: Do you have a soul? Are you a soul? Are you part of a Soul?

What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments and thinking on the subject.

When we wrote SOUL SOLITUDE: Taking Time for Our Souls to Catch Up, we wrote it for a general audience and very consciously chose to say 'our souls". In that book, we discussed the soul as the Authentic Self. We offer the Webster's dictionary definition of soul:

• "the immaterial essence, animating principle or actuating cause of an individual life; the spiritual principle embodied in human beings; all rational and spiritual beings of the universe; an actual or essential part; a moving spirit; man's moral or ethicalnature; that quality that arouses emotion and sentiment."

And, we offer a definition from Dr. Dennis Merritt-Jones:

• "The truth is there is only one Soul and it is the Soul of the Universe. Individual man's soul is simply that point within him where the Universe (or God) personalizes Itself. We believe that the soul is man's creative medium and is therefore subjective (or subject) to his conscious thought. The soul is that perfect part of our being which accepts us and our actions, never judging us as right or wrong, always ready to "assist" us in achieving whatever we choose to do when we believe we can do it.
  
  The soul has been referred to as the "mirror of mind" because it reflects the forms of thought which are given it. WE choose the thoughts it reflects or, in other words, brings into experience."

These two definitions offer our readers a point of departure for understanding the concept of soul.

What are your thoughts?

Many blessings,
Rhoberta