The ego is an essential part of our human nature, a constant presence that, although we sometimes don’t notice it, has a strong impact on how we see the world and act in it. In a talk between Alex Guerra, founder of Wake Up, and Fidel Delgado, clinical psychologist, we explore the ways in which the ego can become an obstacle, shaping the way we live and understand reality.

You can do the workshop with fidel Delgado here:

What is ego?

The ego can be seen as that inner voice that defines us and places us in the world. According to Delgado, we all carry the ego, but when we forget it or feel superior, we become a kind of “pontiff”, believing that we are above everything. This attitude disconnects us from humility, and when we lose this capacity to learn and grow, it is easy to make mistakes.

Ego, in its subtlest forms, leads us to think that our way of seeing reality is the only correct one. This can generate conflicts and misunderstandings with others, since we assume that there is only one reality, “and that is the one I say,” as Delgado comments.

Common ego traps

• Feeling superior to others: One of the main ego traps is thinking that we are better or wiser than others. This illusion can isolate us, as it closes us off from the opinions and experiences of others, thus limiting our ability to adapt and learn.

• The need to be right: The ego seeks validation and feeds on feeling that it is always right. This makes us reject ideas that do not coincide with our own, even if they are logical and well-founded, generating tensions and closing us off to new perspectives.

• Role identification: Often, we confuse the ego with the roles we play in society, whether as professionals, parents, friends, etc. This leads us to think that we are what we do, which can leave us with a feeling of emptiness if we lose those roles or if our identity is challenged.

How to avoid ego traps

To avoid falling into ego traps, Guerra and Delgado agree that the key lies in self-knowledge and reflection. Recognizing that our perceptions are only a point of view and do not represent the absolute truth is an important step towards a more balanced and unbiased life.

• Practice humility: Accepting that we do not have all the answers and that everyone has something to teach us helps us to keep an open mind. Humility allows us to learn from others and from each situation.

• Questioning our beliefs: Reflecting on why we think a certain way helps us to discover when the ego is guiding our decisions. This exercise makes us more flexible and able to adapt to whatever comes our way.

• Disidentify from roles: Understanding that we are more than the labels society assigns us frees us from the pressure to comply with external expectations. It allows us to be more authentic and connects us to our essence, beyond the ego.

Conclusion

Ego is an inevitable companion in life, but if we are unaware of its influence, it can become a trap that slows our growth and distances us from others. Through self-knowledge and humility, we can avoid falling into these traps and live in a more genuine and satisfying way.

Don’t believe anything you just read, think for yourself.

Wake up

Wake up!