This past Monday evening, I attended a meeting remotely—quietly, with no intention to speak, only to observe. My purpose was to listen to the interplay of voices, to sense the dynamic energy of the group as a whole. What I witnessed was illuminating, not just in terms of what was said, but how it was said—how the human ego makes itself known even when we believe we’re gathered for higher purposes.
Before I elaborate on that, I
want to point you toward a video that speaks profoundly to what I felt was
needed in that meeting. It’s titled “What
Is Ego Death? A Mystic Explains” by Theories of Everything:
https://youtu.be/n0ZVMonwAws?si=NNMvYYKw_moWQOnb
The speaker in this video articulates a simple yet transformational truth: the ego is not inherently evil or wrong, but it must be seen through if we are ever to move as one body—be it in spiritual practice, community decision-making, or meaningful discourse. What struck me was how clearly the video illustrated what a spiritually grounded conversation can look like, when ego takes a back seat to presence, humility, and deep listening.
Back to Monday. As I observed, I saw people trying to be heard more than trying to understand. I saw mostly reactive speech. I saw the individual ego wrapped in the language of clarity. And above all, I saw only a small amount of willingness to make space—not just for others, but for the silence that allows deeper wisdom to rise.
It wasn’t all negative—there were sincere intentions, good hearts, and a shared desire to “get things right.” But ego has a way of disguising itself as righteousness, as conviction, as passion. When unchecked, it dominates the space, fragmenting the group’s field into islands of self-concern and chuckling over various humorous things rather than creating the open ocean of collaboration.
This post is not a critique of individuals. It’s an invitation to reflect.
Meetings like that can serve as mirrors—revealing how the spiritual work we do outside of community spaces is precisely what we must bring into them. We often talk about love, unity, justice, or consensus, but when our egos lead, even our noblest goals become mired in personal agendas.
So I offer this gentle suggestion: if you were part of that meeting, or even if you weren’t but are part of a similar group or community, take 20 minutes to watch the video. Let it work on you. And then ask yourself—what would a meeting look like if we each showed up having already done the work of softening the ego, even just a little?
What would be possible in that space?
I believe these are the kinds of reflections that allow a group to evolve. Not through force or policy, but through spiritual maturity.
Let’s not just meet. Let’s meet beyond the ego.