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Writer's pictureA Wayfarer

Taoist Writings: Is it possible to go on a spiritual journey to eliminate one's ego? If so, what techniques can be used for this purpose?

Updated: Jul 31

Taoist Writings on the Ego & No-self


A problem with these types of questions is that we frequently answer as clearly as possible but this appeals to the intellect. It will judge what has been read, think it understands or doesn’t, and move on with an idea swirling around that isn’t going to help much.


That’s why I like poetry the best. There’s space there to let the mind wander… and wonder.


Hence, we have centuries of Zen Koans. What is the sound of one wing flapping?


Is it possible to go on a spiritual journey to eliminate one’s ego?


I heard that Gandalf is being sued for scratching a person’s Ferrari as he zoomed passed on Shadowfax. Apparently, he’s going to go broke. Gotta find some dumb trolls to steal treasure from. It’s quite a pressure being a wizard.


Are you worried about this? I am.


Poor Gandalf. I think it was Shadowfax’s fault.


What? What am I waffling on about when it's a damn fantasy?


Is it possible to go on a spiritual journey to eliminate one’s ego?


But the ego doesn’t exist. A little bird told me that. Oh, right, sorry you haven’t worked that out yet. That piqued your ego, huh? How far would the spiritual journey need to be to eliminate something that doesn’t exist? Let me ask my cat, he’s kinda wise, though strictly speaking he’s the neighbour’s cat but Jesus said something about loving thy neighbour, and his cat is better looking than he is, so I give it water now and then. Generous aren’t I?


What techniques can be used for this purpose?


The cat just looked.


Jeez, so now I have to think. Man, that’s a serious question. Like, deep, dude. Red pill, blue pill, red or blue?


Techniques - The Oxford Dictionary writes that techniques are “a way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure:”

None of that sounds useful to eliminate something that doesn’t exist. Maybe it helps on a journey that when you reach the end you realise you haven’t gone anywhere, wait, there was no you going anywhere anyway. Where are those headache tablets again?


The other day I walked up to some automatic doors. They wouldn’t open. No-self is a real bind sometimes.


























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