View source for Bodily Ego

<blockquote class="definition">
The '''Bodily Ego''' is your body's [[ego]]. It is the part of you that is tied to your physical body. Neurologically, the bodily ego is the [[Default Mode Network]] in your brain.<ref>Sosteric, Mike, and Ratkovic, Gina. Lightning Path Workbook One: Basic Concepts. Vol. 1. Lightning Path Workbook Series. St. Albert, Alberta: Lightning Path Press, 2016. https://press.lightningpath.org/product/the-lightning-path-book-one-authentic-spirituality/. You can read the chapter where the concept is introduced online [https://www.lightningpath.org/workbook-one/connection-the-physical-unit-the-spiritual-ego-the-bodily-ego/ here]</ref> <ref>For the neurology behind this, see Sosteric. The Science of Ascension: A Neurologically Grounded Theory of Mystical/Spiritual Experience. [https://www.academia.edu/28919294/The_Science_of_Ascension_A_Neurologically_Grounded_Theory_of_Mystical_Spiritual_Experience]</ref>.   
</blockquote>

==Related Terms==

{{#ask:[[Is a related term::Bodily Ego]]}}

==Syncretic Terms==

[[Bodily Ego]] > {{#ask: [[Is a syncretic term::Bodily Ego]]}}

==Propositions==

The bodily ego is temporal.

The bodily ego is dependent for existence on the hardware provided by physical creation.

The bodily ego is an “artificial intelligence,” designed into the physical unit in order to help it survive, thrive, and evolve towards greater [[Perfection]] of [[Connection]].

The bodily ego is programmed and, it should be noted, damaged by its experiences in the world.

A damaged bodily ego will, for various reasons (e.g., low self-esteem, confused archetypes, fears, anger, adaptive responses that prevent disconnection by causing mis[[Alignment]] and [[Disjuncture]]), be unable to connect properly to [[Spiritual Ego]].

==Notes==

The bodily ego is like the artificial intelligence (AI) that drives an autonomous vehicle. It is programmed by the environment and by developers, and it has a certain autonomy, but it is never as real as the driver, i.e. [[Spiritual Ego]]

The bodily ego has two levels, a conscious level of thoughts and actions (the mind/ego),<ref>In the [[Crest-Jewel of Wisdom]], the [[Knowledge Sheath]]</ref> and an unconscious level of instincts and reactions<ref>In Freudian terms, the [[Id]]</ref>.

The Bodily Ego emerges as a consequence of the interaction between [[Consciousness]] and the sophisticated neuronal operations of the [[Default Mode Network]] of the physical brain.

The Bodily Ego is a key psychic structure of the [[Physical Unit]]. It emerges as a consequence of the interaction between...

* [[Consciousness]]
* The [[Environment]]
* The [[Physical Unit]].

As [[Ego]], the Bodily Ego consists of the four psychic elements:

* [[Self Consciousness]],
* Perspective
* Will
* Imagination

The bodily ego is the "navigational computer" of the physical unit. It is responsible for (Sosteric, SA1)

* ensuring the survival of the physical unit (i.e. preventing accidents, defending against assault)
* fulfilling the [[Needs]] of the physical unit (food, shelter, healthy body, healthy mind)
* [[Connection|reconnecting]] with [[Consciousness]] (i.e. raising the [[Consciousness Quotient]] of the [[Physical Unit]]
* fully expressing the intent and will of the Resident Monadic Consciousness which inhabits the body

The bodily ego is often taken, especially by [[materialists]], to be the locus of an individual's identity and the ultimate ontological source of being. "I think therefore I am," says Descartes. It is understandable how this conclusion may be drawn, especially by someone whose only experience is of [[Normal Consciousness]], but it is erroneous. The little "i" of the bodily ego is a mere refraction of the big "I" (Spiritual Ego) that animates the physical unit. 

The bodily ego has no independent existence. Without the animating embrace of [[Spirit]], the brain may show basic autonomic functions and random cerebral activity, but there is no presence. Without the embrace of Spirit, there is no "I," and no "me." However, when Spirit [[The Embrace|embrace]]s a living body, eyes open, identity is refracted, and [[Consciousness]] slowly emerges into the world that surrounds.

The bodily ego, which is rooted in the programmable structures and energy flows of the physical unit, automatically shapes itself in efforts to ensure survival, meet [[needs]], and (if survival and needs are met) full reconnection. Therefore, the root of adolescent and adult pathology may often be found in the twisted shape the bodily ego takes when dealing with [[Toxic Socialization]] and toxic environments.

Pleasure is a general, but by no means exclusive, indicator of survival and needs satisfaction. 

Substances which are medium or long-term destructive to the bodily ego/physical unit (for example Heroin/shopping/distance running) that provide pleasure (serotonin release) may become neurologically and psychologically confused with pleasures (eating healthy, exercising).


===Healthy Ego===

A healthy [[Physical Unit]] contains a healthy bodily ego. A healthy bodily ego consists of an ego with a strong sense of self, high self-esteem, realistic self-efficacy, and strong ground with reality (proper perspective), and healthy imagination. A healthy bodily ego is achieved when children are raised in a healthy, safe, loving, and supportive environments (a.k.a. [[Right Environment]] that meets all [[Seven Essential Needs]]. 

A healthy bodily ego is an ego that is [[Alignment|aligned]] with the [[Spiritual Ego]] thereby allowing the [[Physical Unit|physical unit]] to contain a full measure of the animating [[Monad]]. A healthy ego allows full [[presence]] of [[Consciousness]].

'''Supportive environments''' are those that support the realization of the full psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical potential of the physical unit as container/vehicle of [[Consciousness]]. Unsupportive (toxic) environments are environments that undermine full potential. 

A healthy society that offers a [[Healthy Socialization]] process will ensure that all children are raised in healthy, safe, and loving environments. However, under current psychological and sociological conditions we endure a [[Toxic Socialization]] process. This toxic socialization process does do not support healthy ego development. 

[[Capitalism]], because it depends on [[Disconnection|disconnected]] / [[Alienation|alienated]] workers for exploitation, provides unsupportive, unhealthy, unsafe, and unloving environments. Capitalism is a toxic system that damages the physical unit, undermines full potential, and distorts the bodily ego in the interest of private profit and accumulation (Sharp, RSGME). 

The "normal" experience of a bodily ego damaged by toxic socializaton consists of low-grade neurosis accompanied by rigid belief systems, uncritical compliance with establishment norms and values, and lack of empathic Connection to Self (which includes family, community, Gaia, etc). Under those conditions where the [[Physical Unit]] is subject to continuous abuse, and/or where the physical unit experiences premature crown chakra openings, low-grade neurosis may expand into full-blown psychotic dysfunction.

==Dysfunction and Pathology==

The bodily ego is a sensitive manifestation of cellular consciousness and, when improperly nurtured or actively [[assault|assaulted]], is subject to easy damage. Damage may range from the easy to treat outcome of mild physical abuse to the severe, intractable, and sometimes fatal ego destruction that occurs when children experience chronic neglect and assault. Damage may fall into several categories. Arranged in ascending order of damage and dysfunction, these categories are:

* Mild Ego Damage
* [[Ego Pathology]] [[Ego Dysfunction]] | 
* Neurosis
* Psychosis
* Schizophrenia

==See Also==

[[Ego]], [[Default Mode Network]], [[Spiritual Ego]], [[Toxic Socialization]], [[Highest Self]].

==Further Reading==

# [https://press.lightningpath.org/product/the-lightning-path-book-one-authentic-spirituality/ Connection, the Physical Unit, the Spiritual Ego, the Bodily Ego]
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[[category:terms]]
[[category:lightningpath]]
[[category:GA]]
[[category:RSGAS]]
[[category:bookone]]
[[category:booktwo]]
[[category:bookthree]]
[[category:BOLIFE]][[Is a related term::Unwanted Self| ]][[Is a related term::Physical Unit| ]]
[[Is a related term::Default Mode Network]][[Is a related term::Spiritual Ego| ]]
[[Is a related term::Water Glass Visualization| ]][[Is a related term::Affirmation of Self| ]][[Is a related term::Disjuncture| ]]
[[Is a related term::Ascension| ]][[Is a related term::Connection| ]][[Is a related term::Disjuncture| ]][[Is a related term::Realization| ]]
[[Is a related term::Perfection| ]][[Is a related term::The Work| ]][[Is a related term::Toxic Socialization| ]][[is a related term::Connection Pathology| ]][[Is a related term::Awareness Reduction Mechanisms| ]]
[[Is a related term::Connection Cocoon| ]][[Is a related term::Ego Damage| ]]
[[Is a related term::Connection Pathology| ]][[Is a related term::Human Development| ]][[Is a related term::Highest Self| ]][[Is a related term::Ego| ]][[Is a related term::Deficit Mode| ]][[Is a related term::Bodily Consciousness]]