This is a continuation of last week’s post. 

Tactic #2: Ego tricks you into thinking it’s furthering your spirituality.

Earlier this year, I decided that if my book business didn’t break even by the end of this year, I would stop writing blogs, making presentations and considering new book concepts. I told myself that I was getting older and it would be wiser to put money toward retirement. So, I set goals and devised an action plan, and started moving forward. Or so I thought.

Every task was difficult. Even those I’d done before—like writing posts—had become a challenge. I set aside time for my business, but I’d just stare at the white screen for long periods of time.

Nothing came together. My frustration soared.

Then a friend gave me The Mystic’s summary of John of the Cross’ “Dark Night of the Soul.” While the original poem was written in the 1500s, it was relevant to my current struggle—I discovered my ego was trying to control my spiritual journey. It explained that the ego has the conviction that it’s the “doer” and it’s motivated to seek higher consciousness so it can amass even more power.

I realized by residing purely in my mind, I blocked my ability to heed heavenly inspiration. I couldn’t grow spiritually because I wasn’t living in faith in the Universal Power. My ego convinced me that it could get me to higher consciousness if I worked harder in the direction I’d predetermined. My actions screamed: “What did I need God for?”

Photo by Claudia Meyer, freeimages.com

Ego wants to create spiritual growth by its own means. This document explained, “Certainly, it [the ego] doesn’t want to be granted fulfillment by a power outside of itself.”

Ego wants to circumvent the Most Divine and take credit for my enlightenment!

Instead of setting an action plan for my business, I wished I’d prayed. Listened to my heart, the angels and the Great I Am. If I had, I’d have known that I never feel more alive than I do when I’m inspired to write a post or give a presentation that touches someone.

But residing in faith doesn’t mean living financially loose. I could’ve continued writing posts and cut down on website and marketing expenses, so that I wasn’t spending too much. That way the stressors about building a retirement account would’ve lessened and I would’ve maintained my spiritual integrity.

Faith is about being open and trusting the Most Divine. Ego is about barriers.

Let’s break down the impediments. When it comes to the important matters in life, let’s ask ourselves: “Am I operating from my head or my heart?”