What...exactly is the EGO?

[KylalaKitty]

I never been quite sure what the ego is, :confused: can anyone clear up my confusion?

[Cat]

Well, that's partly because it has two different broad meanings. Ego in normal terms refers to self-absorbtion or conceit. Its that sense that we see in the word egotism. It is also a technical term in psychoanalysis. I don't think they have any well-defined meaning, and I am pretty certain that even if there was one, the different psychodynamic schools would have multiple different ones.

The brief overview is this: The psyche is composed of three structures or components--the id, ego and superego. The id is the outside of our conscious awareness, and rules our primitive or childish drives. The superego is like our conscience. And the ego is the partly conscious part of ourself that is involved with the outside world. It also mediates between the drives of the id and the rules of the superego. I believe that the various defense mechanisms are all part of the ego, too, but I'm not sure.

[KEishin]

I've always thought of the ego as the sense of self; the "you."
Having a ego is not a bad thing. Letting it rule you is. In fact I've seen that not having a secure ego is in some ways worse than having a very strong one!

Why? It's because I think of egotism this way: it's a malfuncxting sense of self. People with strong (overcompensating)and weak (undercompensating) egos alike tend to be domineering, as they seek outside reinforcement of their self-worth. We've all seen it in one form or another - the person who bullies others to make themselves feel better. Scratch a bully and you'll find a very insecure person (most of the time). Or the passive-aggressive person - they don't feel secure enough to actually stand up for themselves, so they seem to agree while sabotaging a situation.

Those with a secure sense of themselves don't need to play games to make themselves feel good. That's healthy ego.

[HetHert]

IMO...The ego is a conscious and unconscious part of ourselves that defines who we are from the inside out. It shapes and seperates us from each other as the being that presents itself to the world around it. It is our persona that we wear, often times like a mask that present to the world at large. It is the part of ourselves that seeks acceptance and approval. It yearns to "fit in" or "stand out" depending on a persons objective. The ego can often be our shield to protect us but also when taken to extremes it can become the bully that reacts from fear and ignorance. It will become adamant in the face of intolerance and objection from insecurity, overbearing when threatened, timid when weak and underdeveloped. Our shadowself is wrapped up tightly in our ego. It is defined as containing parts of our darkest self for housing a great deal of our flaws and imperfection of character within it. Those who search their darkness within are often on a quest to take control over their ego and walk the proverbial path of "Know Thyself". A well balanced ego is usually thought of as one that is open, honest, and secure. The ego should not be thought of as a bad thing perse. It is after all part of ourselves and our persona. However often times people allow their ego's to be who they are rather than harmonizing themselves such that the ego is but a peice of the whole that they are.

Hope that made sense..:p

[plumedsnake]

Ego is the AntiChrist in my view. It is a false sense of identity that afflicts us all. The ego can be defined by external things like the kind of job you got and the sector of socieity you fit into. The true self is more subtle than that and it is important to realise the Ego is not what you really are and rise above that. The persona is a tool of the ego. The persona is the mask that we show the world. A mask is a showing off yet at the same time it is a concealing. A mask covers your true face and shows the face you want the world to see. The persona automatically creates a Shadow. The shadow are those parts of your self that you suppress and don't show the world. It is what the mask covers. The shadow is full of much power and it can undermine your endeavours if you ignore it. It controls your behaviour and your life unconsciously so you are not aware of what it is up to.

[Lets Go Bowling]

Whether good or bad, false or real, eternal or impermanent: All of our ideas about it are what makes the ego.

When we cling to it and see it as a fixed essence, then it can lead to problems.

Other than that is just elaboration.

[Zurtok]

I never been quite sure what the ego is, :confused: can anyone clear up my confusion?

The Ego is very simple. It is those parts of your question I have bolded.