You can get an understanding and a feeling of how and when the Ego works because it has never once apologised or admitted that it was ever wrong, or acted or advised incorrectly. Even when it obviously has!

If you have had the misfortune to be in a really difficult, shocking or dangerous situation, the Ego will desert you momentarily. This can feel very strange as, in the absence of the Ego, we will act authentically without fear or doubt and we will authentically know the correct course of action. The Ego will then return once the ‘heat’ of the moment or situation has passed, with its judgements, negative comments and expectations that react and bite back fearfully at the situation.

So for example, you may witness a car accident and without thinking or judging you act by getting involved or helping, sometimes even surprising yourself just how well you coped in such awful situation. Then afterwards the Ego re-emerges, making judgements, passing negative comments, etc.

Visualise the interaction between your Ego and your emotions as though you are a captain of your ship, the Ego is the first mate and the emotions (fear, jealousy, anger etc) are the crew. In the past you may have abdicated responsibility, ‘gone missing’ off the bridge of your ship, handing power to the first mate, who grasped the opportunity with both hands. Now it does not want to hand back the role, because it does not trust you to manage yourself.

The Ego does however know that you are the captain (Authentic Self) of the ship, and therefore it is ‘out-ranked’ and can be ordered to leave the bridge. It therefore cunningly must convince you that you are not a ‘fit’ person to captain your own ship. Using all the methods I have listed, it truly believes it can make a better job than you of captaining the ship through life’s stormy seas.

One of the popular courses it plots for you sails round and round in circles. Although this is not constructive or progressive, it does feel safe and, in someway reassuring, because of the habitual nature of the action. In fact you stay exactly where you are, you don’t move, you perceive the dangers around are too great – everyone is untrustworthy and out to get you.

This route is in direct contrast on to the expansive, open, loving nature of our Authentic Self and the Universe, a route that follows the current rather than stagnating in one place.

The view of Taoism is that we are already part of the wholeness. We do not have to ‘work at it’, be forceful, or strong, we are simply ‘there’ part of and supported by nature. We don’t have to do anything, the thrust of Taoism is to undo, let go of the Ego and its fears, anger, judgments etc. so we can reconnect to this place.

Our Authentic Self is, has, and will always be ‘there’ for you, which is in direct opposition to what Ego the wants us to believe. But because part our natural Authentic Self is yielding, the brashness of the Ego can cause it to ‘step back’ or be temporarily lost, or forgotten.

But your Authentic Self never goes away. It is your true nature and is loving, forgiving, compassionate, persistent, adaptable, non-judgemental, robust, trustworthy and reliable. It never goes leaves you, never gives up, will always forgive, because it has never made a judgement about you. It will always be ready to start afresh, regardless of the history of your Ego driven thoughts and actions, without making a comment or holding a grudge.

In fact it is exactly the same as the Universe. Because we are the Universe!

The Universe is within us and we are within the Universe, it is as easy as that!

Do not make the mistake of misunderstanding the softness and yielding nature of the Authentic Self as being deficient, or somehow ‘less than‘. In fact the opposite is true.

The Authentic Self is extremely strong, determined, persevering, and powerful as well as being loving and all encompassing.