When the ego learns to trust the adult

The monkey mind calms.

A man I know, Greg, would say his adult told the ego: ”I've got this one”.

Our ego is our protector. Has been since childhood. Learned most of what was dangerous back then when powerless and we needed to conform to survive.

It’s still on guard. And, it reacts faster than our adult mind can think. Reacts and often gets us into trouble when we suspect danger rather than curious possibility.

It makes sense that the ego’s reaction is just as strong now as it was then. We wouldn’t want to have our awareness of danger dim and leave us unprotected. Not if we want to survive.

In fact, we may have an emotional reaction to a memory long since forgotten.

Whatever it takes to be safe.

It’s a habit we can break. Mindfulness is helpful. Pausing works. Over time we teach the ego to trust the adult. That adult has this one. Then, the ego can relax. Still on the bus. Just not driving it and our anxiety drops precipitously.