Aware Ego Process in Relationships
The Aware Ego Process can help us understand and improve our relationships.
The Dance of Vulnerability and Power
Relationships are dynamic. They involve a constant interplay of energies, often characterized by a dance between vulnerability and power. We can use the parent-child archetype to illustrate this dynamic:
A Two-Part Exercise
Identify an Irritating Person:
Bring to mind an image of someone you find very irritating. This could be someone you know personally, a public figure, or even a character from a movie or book.
Allow their image to come to you effortlessly.
Nurturing the Aware Ego Process
This article is about nurturing the "aware ego process," a concept in psychotherapy that refers to a state of consciousness where you can observe your different inner "selves / voices / parts" without being identified with any of them. This allows for greater choice and freedom in your actions and reactions.
The Inner Critic
I spent years battling my inner critic, locked in a constant struggle against that harsh inner voice. It was exhausting, demoralizing, and ultimately, unproductive.
These days instead of fighting the critic, trying to get rid of that voice, I'm learning to understand it, to acknowledge its fears, and to offer it compassion.
This shift in perspective has been transformative. I'm no longer at war with myself, but rather engaged in a process of self-discovery and integration. I'm finally learning to embrace all parts of myself, even the ones that used to scare me, and to create a more harmonious inner landscape.
Seven Steps to Yoga
This process is not always linear. You might move back and forth between stages, but each time you gain a deeper understanding and move closer to the goal.
The Aware Ego Process
The "ego" often gets a bad rap. It’s a collection of those dominant patterns we develop growing up that unconsciously run the show, our lives. These are the ‘voices’ that tell us who we are, what we should be doing, and how we should be feeling.
They're the inner critic that judges our every move, the people-pleaser who craves external validation, or the driven achiever who constantly pushes for more. These primary selves, while sometimes helpful, can also keep us stuck in repetitive cycles, limiting our potential for growth and genuine self-expression.
Thought or Feeling ?
We often talk about thoughts and feelings as separate entities, but the truth is they're intertwined in a complex and fascinating dance. Sometimes, it seems like our thoughts dictate our feelings: a stressful thought triggers anxiety, a happy memory brings a smile. But is it always that simple? Could our feelings actually be shaping our thoughts?
Has Meditation Yoga Lost its Way?
Yoga studios are packed, meditation apps are booming, and social media feeds overflow with impossibly bendy influencers. On the surface, it seems like we're in the midst of a spiritual awakening. But beneath the perfectly-posed photos and trendy leggings, a question lingers: has yoga strayed from its transformative roots and become more about entertainment and the pursuit of the 'body beautiful'?
Top Performers Embrace Stillness
The Power of Inner Stillness. Amidst the noise and demands of the modern workplace, cultivating inner stillness might seem counterintuitive. Yet, it's precisely in these moments of quiet reflection that we can tap into our deepest reserves of creativity, clarity, and resilience. For business owners, the benefits are profound:
Reflecting on Anger
Think back to your childhood. How did the adults in your life express and manage their anger? What messages did you receive about anger, both directly and indirectly?
Navigating Anger
This body-centered approach empowers participants to transform their relationship with anger from the inside out, fostering greater self-awareness, emotional resilience, and inner peace.