The Unbalanced Ego is a Curious Beast
And it’s an essential aspect of the human form we must all be aware of in this highly dysfunctional time of Trump.
Most of us don’t realize the ego’s existence, yet we are at its mercy. And the body cannot help but respond to all the dysfunctional thought patterns that make up the often-unbalanced ego.
This article is part two in a series. Click here to read part 1. If you’re all caught up, let’s ponder…..
The Egomaniac
The definition of egotistical: Thinking too highly of oneself. Some adjectives for egotistical are prideful, arrogant, and conceited. Some synonyms for egotistical are pompous, self-absorbed, and self-centered.
An egomaniac, on the other hand, is an obsessively self-absorbed person. Egomaniac — coined in the early 19th century — combines ego, the “I” self, and maniac, from the Greek mania, “madness or frenzy.”
The Narcissist
The telltale traits of narcissism go well beyond self-absorption. And diagnosable narcissism is far more complex (and often dangerous) than mere selfishness or vanity.
The definition of narcissist: A psychological disorder that is achieved by a person’s physical or mental behavior and shows excessive self-admiration or self-love.
At the core of extreme narcissism is an egotistical preoccupation with self, personal preferences, aspirations, needs, success, and how others perceive them. The extreme narcissist is the center of his own universe.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is one of several types of personality disorders. And it is one in which people have an inflated sense of importance.
NPD often involves a deep sense of insecurity and a lack of self-esteem. The hallmark of NPD is grandiosity, a lack of compassion and empathy for other people, and a false appearance of humility.
People with this condition are frequently described as arrogant, self-centered, manipulative, intolerant of imperfections in others, demanding and exploitative of others, and value success over morals, virtue, and integrity. All hail Trump.
They may also have grandiose fantasies of limitless success, wealth, fame, power, brilliance, and beauty — and may be convinced that they deserve special treatment over all others. All hail Trump.
People with NPD possess a deep sense of entitlement and seek excessive admiration and attention. And they have difficulty tolerating criticism or defeat and may react with disdain or anger. They have poor emotional regulation with aggressive impulses and are psychologically fragile.
In addition to sociopaths, some people display sociopathy and also have traits of narcissism. These individuals are called narcissistic sociopaths. A narcissistic sociopath is someone who also has NPD.
The narcissist — always acting like a spoiled child
One interesting way to think of a person with NPD is as a spoiled child. That’s because a spoiled child — like a narcissist — is concerned only with themselves and their needs — and getting what they want.
We all come into the world with needs. And in the beginning, no one tries to reason with a baby. We just say, “Oh there, there — let me feed you, cuddle you, and sing to you. Let me spoil you.”
As we grow up, we hopefully learn that other people need things, too. In adulthood, we may have moments where we’re selfish — but not on a continuous basis. Not true for a narcissist stuck in a bottomless hole of constant need and attention while remaining a spoiled child. All hail Trump.
Role-playing by the ego
The ego’s illusion of self is like a mask. We often wear an identity that’s not real. With a few notable exceptions, most people in positions of power — such as politicians, T.V. personalities, corporate C.E.O.s, and religious leaders — are entirely identified with their role.
They may be considered V.I.P.s and celebrities, but they are no more than unconscious players in the game of egos. A game that looks so important yet is ultimately devoid of any real purpose.
And to help elevate the role-playing status of such V.I.P.s and celebrities, there are always validations from mesmerized worshipers. Think ‘Trumpsters.’
In contrast to role-playing personalities, there are those who do not attempt to appear more than they are. They are simply themselves. And yet, they stand out as remarkable for their achievements. They are typically the only ones who genuinely make a positive difference in this world. They are the bringers of enlightened consciousness.
And so, please understand that with respect to your soul essence, you are neither inferior nor superior to anyone. True self-esteem and true humility arise out of that realization.
Comparing yourself to others
The ego lives through comparison. How others see you often results in how you see yourself. It becomes a ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’ that tells you what you are like and who you are.
In most cases, the ego’s sense of self-worth is bound up with your worth in the eyes of others. And we live in a culture that largely equates self-worth with what we have and how much we have.
If you do not see through this delusion, you will chase after things and seek the approval of others for the rest of your life in the hope of finding your worth and sense of self.
You allow your unbalanced ego to take over when you desire to be perceived as the most brilliant boss, best negotiator, kindest benefactor, most creative writer, or president with the biggest brain ever. You self-identify with a single aspect of yourself. And preserving that image becomes a lifelong priority.
People are often willing to lie, kill, cheat, hide, or steal to protect the parameters of their ego. If someone criticizes their ‘perfect image,’ they take it personally. They feel their entire identity is at risk. We are so self-absorbed in our culture of individualism today. We make everything about “me-me-me!”
We believe that everything revolves around us. We judge what happens through a ‘self-centered’ filter. And then, by comparing ourselves to others, we create self-doubt.
By pursuing endless ambitions, we end up disappointed. By pretending things always go our way, we become bitter and frustrated when they don’t. All hail Trump.
Money probably won’t change the way you feel about yourself
We look at wealthy people and think, “I wish I were them. They must lead such amazing lives.” But think again if you’re certain that money will give you confidence or make you feel complete. Despite how powerful money might be, it won’t necessarily change how you feel about yourself.
Your insecurities may outlast all the wealth you accumulate in your lifetime. Money won’t buy you happiness if you’re not already truly pleased with who you are. And if you don’t believe in yourself, money will fail you there, too.
Identifying self-worth with the body beautiful
In society, the physical appearance of the body often contributes heavily to the sense of who we think we are. Many people’s sense of self-worth is intimately bound up with their good looks, robust fitness, and glamorous external appearance — all compared to others.
Many of these self-important individuals see fit to become “Influencers” in society. And as a result of our ‘body-shaming’ standards on display in today’s social media, many people feel a diminished sense of self-worth because they perceive their bodies as ugly, imperfect, and inferior to others.
Many people who establish their self-worth based solely on their outward attractive appearance end up experiencing anguish when those good looks begin to fade and disappear — as, of course, they will. Equating the physical body — destined to age, wither, and die — with the “I — self” typically leads to sorrow sooner or later.
Much better to realize that when the body begins to wither, the realm beyond temporary physical form — the light of consciousness — begins to shine more easily through the fading form. Yet, most people have no grasp of this wondrous transformation. All hail Trump.
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If this article was of interest to you, then you might like my series of six self-published books designed to present ‘some of what I know so far’ on a wide range of interesting subjects, including human evolution, spirituality, politics, religion, finance, nature, science, ancient anomalies, the cosmos and so much more.
This article is compiled from chapter 12 of my first book in the series titled: “So, here’s some of what I know so far regarding the Brain, Body, Budget, Being.”
You can find my books on Amazon by searching “books by Stephen Geist.”
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