The Spiritual Warrior and The Ego
Merlin's Magical Mystery School

Offering A FREE Introductory
Energy Consultation-Diagnostic Reading
Presented by 
David Raphael Isaacson



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Ego
When we were first created... our experience of the universe was undifferentiated.
 There was no space or time, as there was no "where" or "when".
There was no concept of duality, only an awareness of "The One"
There was no separation between people and things.
There was no sense of "I" or "you", "mine" or "yours".
There was just an expansive, unlimited awareness of the unity of all creation - we were at one with the "Universal Mind" and we could hear the "Universal Voice" (AUM) resounding through all.... In addition to being an integral part of this "Universal Mind", we were uniquely endowed by our Creator with the rudiments of a "separate mind" with a "separate voice", one that had the freedom and ability to Choose "yes" or "no"... to have at our discretion the ability to make judgments of what is "right" and "wrong" for ourselves, and the self directing, self motivating will power to act upon that determination... all of this is an integral quality of our personal "Ego" (unique in humans) found within the make up of our individualized souls. 
 
At some point in our past, we chose to listen and follow - not the "Universal Voice" of God, but this other "separate voice" of the Ego ("Serpent") that bid us eat of the "apple" in the "Garden of Eden", and thus we gained the "knowledge of good and evil" - the awareness of "Duality". With this one choice, our jaunt in the "Garden" - our "Age of Innocence" came to an end... the rift had begun, and over time became even greater. Our one choice to follow the voice of separation and duality - the "Ego Mind" (this "Serpent") moved our awareness in a direction away from the "The One".  The results of this and subsequent choices (made by following the voice of the ego) began to have a rippling effect upon the expansiveness of our consciousness, and we developed a narrower and narrower - more selective field of awareness of the "Universal Mind". We had stepped upon the path of duality, the vibrations and energies of which became more and more convoluted and material, more dense and heavy.... as we descended deeper into the lower realms of creation. This was the "fall from grace"... as we began to experience ourselves and creation from a limited perspective, with a consciousness dictated to by the "Ego Mind" - a voice that had gotten even louder, now almost drowning out the "still small voice". 

It is this "Ego Mind" with which we must now grapple with as it still judges, determines, chooses, and wills - perhaps now more than ever... and our soul still must choose what voice it shall listen and focus its attentions on - either upon the higher "unifying" vibrations and energies of the spirit realms (guided by the enlightened wisdom of the higher etheric bodies/self) or the lower "dualistic" vibrations and energies of the material world (guided by the passions of the lower astral bodies/self). 

The results of any choices we have ever made, the fruit of these actions (our "karma") is held within our energy - vibrational bodies, making up who we are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, today and into the future.

The world is the way it is predominantly because of the accumulated choices of all who have ever lived on her.

The Ego Mind has the ability to label or identify things (including itself) from and within a very limited conceptual or mental frame of reference. This is good in the sense that by being able to discriminate between one thing and another, we have developed a complex language - which enables us to mentally communicate with other people, which lays the foundation for us to practically (and inventively) manipulate things. The downside is that the Ego Mind also begins to attach and identify itself to actions, things, people and ideas. Thus, we become trapped (by attachment and identification) into becoming our own creations... such as : 

This car is "mine"... This is "my" wife..."I" am "your" son... "You" are "my" child..."I" am "white"... "I" am "black"... "I" am "Christian" ... "I" am "Jewish"... "I" am "Republican"... "I" am a "Democrat",.... 

The Ego Mind also sits in judgment on these differences between actions, things, people and ideas, eventually labeling one "good" and the other "bad". These learned behaviors and belief systems become indelibly imprinted upon our mind (as programs in a computer), held within our energetic and cellular memories, passed down from lifetime after lifetime - add infinitum (or until the "programs" get deleted).  When our Ego Mind starts to accumulate and create all these incidental programs, the original and pure program (purpose) that our creator instilled in us becomes overwritten and we start to run on the egos programs, not Gods. Essentially, we become creations (and mirrors) of our ego, not of God, and for all intents and purposes, our ego ("idol") replaces and then becomes our God... ("have no idols before me"). Through subterfuge within the consciousness, the ego programs subvert and usurp God (like a virus that can mimic and confuse the immune systems' own antibodies). Unfortunately, the Ego is so insidiously enmeshed within our psyches, that it can fool anyone into believing anything... when it comes to spiritual matters, it will run circles around you, saying all sorts of things that you would swear are true.

With healing, over time, that which has been created by your ego mind shall be broken down... the old paradigms you have been working from - the old traditions, ideas, belief systems that you have accumulated on your own or have learned from your church, school, family, friends - will no longer fit you, and you will once again be free to follow and be your inner truth.

Destiny
Before you were born into this world,  you existed - in your subtle spirit body - in a transitional state called "Bardo". Here you were approached by your spirit guides and presented with certain opportunities for incarnation (if you were so inclined). Whatever the reasons you chose, you willingly, consciously and purposefully designed a general and sometimes very specific plan to follow in this forthcoming life, otherwise known as your "Destiny" ("astrology" attempts to delineate on this). Though many say they have no control over their lives and what happens to them, on another level, you have totally agreed upon those same events to occur. You have already make your decisions of what you wanted to happen when you were in spirit. In this life you are (more or less) compelled to follow through with your chosen destiny (whether you like it now or not).

Contracts
Since you do have free will, you always have the choice to do or not do many things. However, the Soul as it exists in Bardo, being informed of the difficulties of staying upon the spiritual path (once incarnated on the earth plane), may chose to make binding energetic commitments - "Agreements" or "Contracts". Contracts are done not just with your self and Spirit, but they often include other souls (with future parents, partners, children, teachers...). All those involved sign their names with their unique energetic signature, written upon an etheric document, and stored in the etheric "Karmic Records". When the agreed upon moment comes, these contracts are activated. 
 
There are "Worldly Contracts" that have to do with following an "Outer Path" ... such as where and when  you are going to be born, who your parents are to be, what school you are to attend and teachers you are to learn from, who you are to marry, who is to be your children, what work you are going to do, when you are to die,....

There are "Lesson Plan Contracts" about specific life "lessons" that you agreed to learn for the sake of expanding or broadening your  experience of and compassion for the human condition (especially if you are a new soul to this dimension). Some of these experiences may involve pleasant and pleasurable activities - making love, playing, creating, working,... some may be painful and traumatic - going to war, getting raped, killed, or maimed,....
 
Then there are "Karmic Contracts" that are predominantly entered into in order to clear negative actions (karma) accumulated in past lives. If you didn't enter into the binding energies of these contracts, you would try to avoid all the "unpleasant" experiences - thus missing the important lessons and greater purposes in them. Contracts are your way of compelling yourself to do something you as a spirit wanted to experience or accomplish in the physical form (and not back down later because it may seem too hard). The Contract is your way of ensuring that no matter how clouded over with illusion and forgetfulness your human consciousness and will becomes (once you are embodied) you will tend to fulfill your contractual duties. For the soul knows (deep down) that if one does not complete its mission - fulfilling all these karmic contracts in one life time - than the soul must reincarnate until it does (and for the soul that loves its freedom, that may not be a very desirable option).

Finally there are the "Spiritual" or "God Contracts" ... where special souls incarnate upon the earth in order to fulfill or manifest a certain divine duty and sacred purpose for the greater good -  as in service to the Spiritual Hierarchy (selflessly helping your fellow human be free from the shackles of soul slavery - that they may rise up from the denseness of the earth). These are the "Star Seeded Souls". Unfortunately (over many lifetimes) most of these souls have accumulated their own layers of karmic junk that must be cleared first (through much spiritual purification and healing) before they can ever go about manifesting all of their spiritual gifts. As I have seen, this is the predominance of souls who are even remotely motivated or interested in following the healing path.

Material Forces
Entities in spirit have a subtler sense of self, as they are not constrained within nor affected by a gross physical body and its sensate nature. However, once the soul embodies and takes on the veils and seductions of the flesh (the "Illusions of Maya"), the "Material Forces" - those energies and vibrations present in this dense physical dimension - can be very tempting. The attractions of these (externally oriented) material forces poses a challenge for the "Star Seeded Soul" (and everyone else really) who incarnates in order to fulfill their God (and other) Contracts. Though it is only here on this earth plane that the Star Seeded Souls' spiritual convictions can be tested, there is a real possibility of failure (and thus subsequent reincarnation).

One must eventually complete all contracts, "Spiritual" and otherwise (if not in one life time than in another), but due to the power of the ego on this dimension, one can be in a great deal of resistance, rejecting guidance from the higher self and refusing to follow ones spiritual destiny/path. (I think this has occurred with just about everybody incarnated on this planet today). Fortunately, the Great Spirit constantly reminds us of why we are really here by first sending us subtle clues, signs and messages (if we are attentive) sometimes through the form of other humans whose designated purpose is to be our spiritual healers and teachers (The Great Spirit works through all people and events on this earth, if not directly than indirectly). If the subtle approach doesn't get our attention (if we are asleep or in rebellion),  Spirit will send us some very rude wake up calls, often in the form of near fatal accidents, health problems, financial difficulties, failing relationships, or other dramatic events.... 
"Why would spirit wish us harm ?"  I hear you ask.....
"Spirit" (which includes our own "Higher-Inner Most Self" as well as our "Spirit Guides") only wants what is in our highest and best interests. What is the greater harm caused us..."to gain the world only to lose our soul?" (to paraphrase the bible).

Higher Self
The Great Spirit... God The Father... The Higher Self... dwells within the "Temple" of our Inner Spiritual Heart. It is from here that the "Universal Mind", "Cosmic Consciousness", "The One",  "The Holy Spirit", the "Divine Mind" (the literal translation and meaning of "Hu-Man") and "Love Essence" of our being can be accessed and felt.... It is here upon this "Rock of Ages" where we can receive the "Promptings of Spirit" - that "still small voice" within.... Here is the wisdom that can guide us through the convoluted labyrinth and illusions of life in the "Outer Reality".
 It is from here, upon the "Pillar of Truth and Strength" where we can receive the answers that help ease our way in this world. Here is the destination and end point of all long journeys for all the heroes who ever were and shall be.... It is at this place, when the Human Self finally takes its long rest in its Self, that one may finally find and manifest the qualities of wisdom, peace, knowing, loving,... and acting from this deeper place, be not easily subject to the fluctuating tides of mass consciousness and opinion, nor in reaction to contrary people and difficult situations.

Astral Self
Below our Higher Etheric Self or Spirit Body, at the levels of the lower and  higher  astral planes, there are (or can be) multiple astral bodies, astral selves, or astral sub-personalities that make up our psyche. The "Astral Self" was created as an extension or projection from off the Higher Self, as a way to experience itself in another density. On its own (disconnected from the Higher Self) the Astral Self could be likened to a wild child whose limited material perspective (or view) on all things and beings revolves around his constant, immediate, and selfish wants, wishes, needs and desires. He is guided by sporadic impulses and feelings, not having any sense of consequences or higher purposes. As these Astral Selves are constantly interacting inharmoniously with other Astral Selves, this results in a continual state of inner confusion, conflict and stress.

Your Spiritual Parent or "Higher Self" (existing on the higher dimensions) wishes only good for their Child or lower "Astral Self" (that part of you that is incarnated on this level). However, the parent (spiritual or otherwise) is (nearly) powerless to help if the child will not or can not listen to "the promptings of spirit" (that "still small voice" within). Your spiritual parent (High Self) is always present with you, knows all that is happening to you, and is trying to guide you down a sure and safe path. Unfortunately, the child is not very good at listening, being so enraptured with the drama of this world, following their own passions and worldly agendas,... that they can't or won't hear the important messages coming to them. 
The enlightened Higher Self says things like:

"Don't do 'that' because it will hurt you...instead try this."
And the child may say:
"I want 'that' no matter what ...
I don't care if it's bad for me or not !
I don't want to do what you say... I want to go my own way."

Through repetition of this sort of behavior, the child self energetically blocks out the spiritual (parental) messages and just hears what it wants to hear - itself. Over time, the lower self digs a hole deeper and deeper into trouble, turmoil and suffering, creating more and more negative karma.... At some point, even if the lower self changes its mind and wants to hear what spirit is saying and receive help, it may not be possible...the blocks may be so strong and deep, that neither high or low self can get through to the other.... It is at these times, when the child cries out in such pain and anguish (having reached bottom), that it is now willing to be humble and follow the direction of Spirit.... It is at this time that ones' Spirit Guides and Angels can direct you to an incarnate being who can act as an intermediary for your High Self - being a powerful ally to help remove these blocks between and within you - that you may once again reconnect with your own Inner Higher Self or Parent.

Our lower self is in choice to follow through with the enlightened path our High Self presents, or reject it and go in a different direction. If we reject the higher path, the greater destiny we planed for (when we were in Bardo) may not occur. There are windows of opportunity that are only open at certain times ... if we are not awakened to and in sync with our destiny, these opportunities may be lost to us for good. If we are not open to the subtle promptings (and warnings) our spirit gives us, we may (for ex.) miss the "signs" and find ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, making a left turn instead of right ... being in a fatal auto accident ... being shot at,... or ... the list goes on ....

Lord, grant me... 
...the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
 ...the courage to change the things I can,
... and the wisdom to know the difference.

Surrender
Rarely does a profound depth of healing occur on its own, within a vacuum. Healing at the level of these Astral Bodies may occur when a powerful outer force or consciousness intervenes (interfaces) between (within) the two of you, clearing your channels of negative, disharmonious energy.... This has traditionally been the role of the Guru, Guide, Priest or Healer (beings who's own lower Astral Self and Ego are more closely surrendered / aligned to their Higher Self / Universal Mind).

No matter who you attract as your spirit ally, you must bring the spirit of humbleness (a willingness to receive and an openness to be guided), trust (in the person you have chosen or whom your spirit guides have directed you to), faith (in the outcome of the work and in the process), and surrender (demonstrated on the material level as a gesture of your sincerity to Spirit that you are willing to let go of your old attachments). The "surrender" is not to the human ego or personality of whomever you call into your life, but to the Higher Self for whom they represent.

I Asked God
I asked God to make handicapped children whole....
"Their spirit is whole, the body is only temporary".
I asked God to grant me patience....
"Patience is a byproduct of tribulations... it isn't granted, it is earned".
I asked God to give me happiness....
"I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you".
I asked God to spare me pain....
"Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me".
I asked God to make my spirit grow....
"I will prune you to make you grow".
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life....
"I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things".
I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as he loves me....
"Ahhhh, finally you have the idea".

Ego Orientation
  There is a time and a place to strengthen our ego-identity, and a time to release it. In our culture (generally), men have over-developed ego minds in order to function more efficiently in the cold cruel business world. Their ego orientation in the world is centered around and for themselves and what they can accomplish. For women, we see the opposite (though this is changing as more women enter the work force). The woman's focus has been more on the needs of her children (verses herself). Mothers hold their children to be the center of their world...their egos point of reference is not inside themselves but outside in their children (thus they appear ego-less or self-less). All the mothers thoughts, feelings, identity,...is invested in another. The mother holds her ego identity and attention outwards onto others, the father inwardly towards personal achievement. Both are important role models, demonstrating examples of polarities for the developing child.

Children all go through a stage where they feel as if the world revolves around them...this is a period where the ego is strengthened (a period where the being is held to develop in a cocoon). Once we have an established and solidified ego, then it is possible to release and shift our ego - paradigm - perspective to another's point of view, to turn from the caterpillar to the butterfly. If the soul is insecure in itself, if it has not had the proper time and environment to have a healthy and completely developed ego, then it will not transform.

Ego Boundaries & A Practice
To be dynamic in ones' spiritual growth, one first must have a strong sense of personal boundaries and centered-ego-self identity. If the ego/will power is undeveloped or weak, this may be cause for many problems. You cannot expand beyond the limitations you have until you have clearly identified your boundaries...where you begin and end, in relation to those around you. When you have developed your ego/will self enough, you will be able to say "NO !", mean it and unshakably stand by it no matter what the consequences. Most people were not given this power over themselves as a child, and are in reaction to this in many aspects of their life (by still allowing others to walk all over them, or in certain passive aggressive tendencies,....). 

Here is a practice for you to develop your ego/will.
Go into your room or some personal private space where you feel safe to connect to the universe and your God/Higher Self (somewhere that is sound proof). Yell and scream "NO" over and over.
NO NO NO NO NO!!!!
See how this makes you feel. There is no one there but you and God. No one is saying this is wrong, or you must say "Yes". "NO" is allowed and acceptable, if that is what is in your heart. It is your choice. In fact, if you cannot say "NO" with firmness and commitment, can you truly say "Yes" to life ? It is two sides to the same coin, and both must be honored alike (for balance, you may also practice the reverse and say "YES" over and over).
The next step in this practice is to say "no" to someone in your life you have always said "Yes" to (or vice versa). You may tell them you are doing this as a practice. See what happens. If you truly have a free and accepting relationship where this other person honors all your choices as a sovereign individual, then they will equally receive and honor your "No" with as much love and acceptance as a "Yes". When you do this practice, choose what you say "no" to another very carefully, something that is just about your life and your boundaries. Be prepared for any response from this other person. Remember, this is a test of your boundaries and to what extent other people around you are honoring of that. It is also a test of how unconditionally loving and accepting the other person is of you. Remember... when you start to claim your personal ego space, you must also give others their space.

Friend or Foe ?
Your ego can be your best friend or worst enemy.... it can work for you in the world but against you in your spiritual life (and in this healing process). If it is the materially minded ego that is running your life, it must take the materially minded ego to finally choose to be reconnected to the higher self. The material ego will not easily or willingly surrender or relinquish this control and power until it reaches a point where it becomes aware of its immense limitations, being so dysfunctional and incapable of even "thinking its way out of a paper bag" (people in recovery programs speak of this). When the ego realizes its own powerlessness, and sees itself running your life into the ground (destroying you and everything and everyone around you)... when you have finally reached bottom and the only place you can go is up, only then is the ego ready to surrender and ask for and receive help from the Higher Power (since the ego must learn "Humility", this help often must be found through a human channel).

As children, though our earthly parents tried to wisely guide our Ego choices, they too were limited and trapped by their own material egoic devices and couldn't always be our shining ideal ( however divine or flawed your earthly parents were, they did what they were karmicly destined to do). There comes a point in every child's life when the realization hits -> our earthly parents cannot be our Spiritual Guides . For the spiritual soul, this is the time when the journey starts... when we begin to search for someone who may guide us on the path ( leading to our own Inner Selves). It becomes the healers task to assist and redirect you to the " Inner Door" of your Heart, where eventually you may come to realize your own "Inner Parent"  and Master. 

Path Of The Master
Where your spirit (energy) goes, there your heart is sure to follow. Where you place your energies, that is what you really love - and that is what you ultimately become. When you chose a career path, did you question whether it will serve humanity, or make you rich? Whichever, the energy, money, heart and soul you invested into building that career (or hobby or talent), over time and much effort, you eventually become that - it is who you are. Is it of the material or spiritual? And if look at what you spend your money on (money being a form of energy), is it to accumulate things, or is it dedicated to the intangible and invisible Spirit (such as tithing to a church, charity, or for healings, for ex.)? This should give you instant feedback on what you find of value in life and what master you are following - is it the material or spiritual you really love ? 

You choose who your master is to be.... If you follow the voice of the ego and Astral Self, the longer you shall be in ignorance, darkness, and despair. The more you follow the promptings or inner "Voice" of Spirit, the more you become and manifest the unlimited power, wisdom and light of Spirit, developing an unshakable, dynamic, spiritual self confidence, growing closer and closer to that which you really are - the "Essence of Love".

Strive to always listen and follow  that "still small voice" within.

As you consistently follow the inner heart felt guidance in all areas of your being,... the more you will see the miracles and synchronicities manifesting in your life, the more you will grow to trust the guidance that comes to you. Every time that you do this, you plug the Higher Self into more and more levels of your being (as in connecting the dots). Eventually, you will come to see yourself reflecting, manifesting, or grounding the Higher Self into all these areas, until the time comes when you become (in flesh) that which you love - the Higher Self.

One who follows the path of being a master can be quite ferocious in his battle against the material ego and the selfish materialism of the Astral Selves. To be a master is not an easy achievement... it is the hardest thing to consistently do and be. Once accomplished here in this world, that state becomes grounded and fully manifested in ones multi-dimensional selves, from the lowest physical and astral level to the highest spiritual level. One whose Astral Self is actually manifesting the essence, energies, and vibrations of the High Self upon the earth plane, having full sovereignty and control over all lower Astral Selves, this being is called an Ascended Master.

To be this sort of master takes many lives in service to the divine cause, and tremendous self sacrifice. Within different lives, different things are asked of the master in training, and thankfully not in every life is one asked to be (for ex.) nailed to a tree. Jesus was not the only soul who was crucified...many have been through these and other horrendous tortures for the sake of being true to their Spiritual Self. Sometimes the more difficult challenge to becoming a master is  not to go through such extreme experiences, but to give up smoking, leaving a co-dependent relationship, re-prioritizing ones spending habits, or eliminating ones unbalanced pleasures of the flesh,.... Perhaps journeying in a diary may be a step in the right direction, or meditating an hour a day, or receiving healing sessions... any of these and/or other things may be a step towards mastery.... However your path of mastery looks, it is special to you.... As we are all unique individuals with unique histories and issues, our unique tests and challenges on this path (to develop mastery) can be and are quite different than that which is asked of another. Thankfully, once you really "get" or master a particular experience, you usually don't have to do it again.

If you wish to become a master, first become a student of the Higher Self.

Being In Your Power
Everyone has all the divine qualities (attributes) hidden within, though they may not be in touch with or aware of them. We have learned early on that in order to survive, we must follow the pack and do as our elders and peers and those in authority (who also seem to have the strongest egos) tell us. We have learned early on that it is not safe to stand out and affirm our own inner truth, this being a threat to the status quo. However, by following the pack and accepting the societal norms, there is a price to pay, and that usually is the beauty, light, freedom and loving power of our souls.

However, every time you receive another healing... and every time you follow the guidance of your Higher Self... standing up for your inner truth... you move that much closer unto completing another rung on the circle of your "Ring of Power". These "Rings of Power" surround you as progressively expanding concentric circles, touching upon various energies and dimensions (analogous to your immune system).  As these layers are filled in with more of your spiritual power, it becomes that much harder for the outer forces to get into your space and manipulate or control you by threat or fear.

Shadow Projection
What you judge or condemn (do not accept) within your own being, you tend to submerge and store into the shadows of your subconscious body-mind-energy field. This dark area within is know as the "shadow self". The tendency of human nature is to "project" that shadow self onto those around you ("Judge not less you be judged"..."beware the mote in thine own eye"). Projection of the shadow self is one of the most insidious saboteurs of healthy and loving relationships. The darkness you think you see in those around you, may really not be in them, but the shadow self within that you are projecting. When you receive healing, this shadow self is confronted and cleared...which results in eliminating anything that can be projected > tremendously improving all your relationships.