The Ego operates silently, directing much of our inner life. Anxiety, frustration, conflicts and a feeling of inner emptiness are clear signs of its influence. We tend to lay the blame for our problems on circumstances and other people, but the root of suffering does not lie outside us — it resides within each individual.
Gnosis teaches that the Ego is the hidden cause of human pain. It is not a single entity but a collection of psychological parts that control our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It acts without us being aware of it, distorts our perception and triggers automatic reactions that perpetuate suffering.
Understanding the Ego is not just a question of thinking about it. Through self-observation and conscious comprehension, it becomes possible to uncover how it operates. This is the first step in a profound inner work.
This article explains how the Ego becomes the root of our suffering and offers a practical path to genuine inner liberation.
What is the Ego?
In Gnostic teaching, the Ego—also referred to as “psychological defects”—is not a single entity but a sum of multiple “selves” or “I”s that act independently. Each “I” traps a part of our consciousness and expresses itself through specific thoughts, emotions, and desires. These impulses appear in the mind, competing with each other to control it.
The Venerable Master Samael Aun Weor explains that humanity does not possess a unified psychological centre. Instead, the Ego rules from an unstable multiplicity. One thought dominates for a moment, only to be replaced by another in the next. This inner fragmentation generates confusion, contradictions and suffering.
In Revolutionary Psychology, it is taught that thousands of “I”s inhabit the human psyche, each striving to assert itself and justify its actions. Understanding this structure is the first step towards true inner transformation.
The Ego in Ancient Spiritual Traditions
Knowledge of the Ego was part of many ancient cultures. Since earliest times, it has been recognised that humanity is divided by internal forces that enslave it.
In ancient Egypt, the Ka and the Ba were internal aspects that influenced behaviour. In India, the Ahamkāra represents the principle of the “I,” which identifies with the mind and generates illusion. In Tibetan Buddhism, the skandhas, or psychic aggregates, explain how consciousness becomes trapped in perceptions and desires. Kabbalah referred to these forces as Klipot, “shells” that imprison the soul’s light, while the Desert Fathers of Christianity spoke of the “logismoi,” passionate thoughts that disturb the mind.
Ancestral shamanism too recognised fragments of the soul that must be recovered.
All these traditions point to the same truth: the Ego, under various names, keeps our consciousness asleep. Freeing consciousness is the essential purpose of every spiritual path.
The Ego as the Root of Suffering
The “I”s, or psychological defects, are the main cause of human suffering. Conflicts arise when different selves take turns dominating thought, feeling, and action. Each “I” acts with different, often opposing, desires. This silent struggle generates anxiety, frustration and profound inner disharmony.
For example, at a given moment an “I” of vanity may dominate, leading someone to show off and feel proud. But if a comment wounds their image, that “I” is displaced by the “I” of anger, which seizes control of thought, feeling, and action.
In a romantic relationship, a person may swear eternal love, yet when the Ego of lust takes control, they betray their loved one without considering the consequences. The same applies to other “I”s: “I” of fear paralyse decisions and fuel insecurity, while the “I” of desire promises happiness but leaves emptiness when it fails to get what it wants.
Master Samael Aun Weor teaches that suffering arises because the Ego reacts to life. It does not see reality as it is, but distorted according to its nature. The multiple psychic aggregates reside in our subconscious; therefore, every automatic decision or reaction emerging from the unconscious is Egoic.
Each “I” interprets experiences according to its own interests. These automatic reactions not only cause personal suffering but also affect those around us.
In the book The Great Rebellion, it is explained that as long as the Ego governs existence, there can be no true inner freedom. Humanity today lives trapped in a repetitive cycle of thoughts, emotions, and desires, generated by unconscious impulses. Understanding this root is essential to begin genuine transformation.
Self-Observation: The First Step to Freeing Consciousness
To free consciousness trapped within the multiple “selves,” it is necessary to learn to self-observe. Conscious self-observation allows us to see each psychic aggregate in action. This is not a mental analysis, but a careful, attentive observation of every thought, emotion, and reaction as it arises.
Master Samael Aun Weor teaches that only by observing ourselves moment by moment can we uncover the mechanism of the Ego. When we self-observe without identifying with it, we can notice each psychological aggregate as it emerges from our subconsciousness. With daily, consistent practice, this allows the consciousness that is trapped within the Ego to begin to awaken.
Self-observation breaks automatic habits. Each “I” loses its power when observed clearly. Instead of reacting unconsciously, awakened attention takes control. This practice opens the door to profound inner peace. You can learn more about this method in The Path to Inner Peace.
The psychic aggregate feeds on our lack of care regarding our psychological processes. If it is not observed, it acts freely. But when consciousness is attentive, its power diminishes. This silent vigilance is the first step toward deep inner change.
Comprehension: The Second Step to Freeing Consciousness
Comprehending the multiple psychological defects is the essential preliminary step before their elimination. Self-observation alone is not enough if we do not understand why each self acts and what it desires.
Master Samael Aun Weor emphasises that comprehension is indispensable for achieving the disintegration of the “self.” Only when consciousness fully understands a psychic aggregate can it be disintegrated.
How to Comprehend the Ego
Observe Without Judging
Throughout the day, observe the different expressions of the “I” moment by moment.
Instead of reacting, pause and notice what you feel, think, and what impulse arises.
Do not try to justify or change anything. Simply watch attentively how the Ego takes control.
This conscious observation weakens its influence.
Analyse its different Expressions over the Day
Before sleeping, mentally review the day’s events.
Identify situations where you acted automatically or unconsciously.
Ask yourself: Which psychic aggregate was active in that moment? What did it want?
This reflection brings deep comprehension and prepares the ground for conscious elimination.
Inner Silence
Set aside a few minutes to sit quietly and breathe calmly.
Direct your attention inward, without thinking or analysing.
Allow thoughts to pass by like clouds.
In this silence, the consciousness begins to become distinguished from the Ego, creating space for real comprehension
Practice Meditation
Meditation is the most effective means of dissolving the internal structures of the “self.” In inner silence, consciousness reaches the deeper levels of the mind.
Eliminating the Ego and Awakening Consciousness
To free consciousness, it is necessary to eliminate the Ego from its deepest roots. This work is not theoretical; it requires real, constant psychological transformation.
Master Samael Aun Weor teaches that when a. “I” is fully understood, it can be disintegrated through a spiritual force called the “Divine Mother Devi Kundalini.”
In The Mystery of the Golden Blossom, he explains that, by disintegrating psychological aggregates, part of the trapped consciousness is released. This is how consciousness gradually awakens, marking the beginning of true spiritual blossoming.
You can learn more about this practice in Meditation to Eliminate the Ego.
Conscious Decision to Free Yourself from the Ego
The Ego keeps humanity trapped in a cycle of suffering, reaction and self-forgetfulness. Recognising its multiple nature opens the door to the possibility of radical transformation. This inner work is neither quick nor superficial; it requires perseverance, practice, and profound honesty with oneself.
Every moment of self-observation weakens the control of the psychic aggregate. This path is not about external theories but about the direct experience of consciousness. By dissolving any psychological defect, trapped consciousness is freed.
Your Journey Begins Here
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