About one of the trickiest and most subtle spiritual traps we can fall into. The basic work of our survival system is to create an identity to hide from Life within. It doesn't matter at all what that identity is, so long as we are being an imaginary "self," with all of its prejudices, it's egotistical desires, and it's destructive behaviors. One of the most difficult "selves" to recognize, often, is a "self" that has put on a spiritual outfit and uses spiritual language: an "enlightened ego," in other words. Over the course of this podcast I describe the enlightened ego and various forms it can take, and I outline the difference between a practice centered on ego and a practice that is authentic. Also contains some words about the various Buddhist scandals that have happened over time. Enjoy!

For information about the practice David facilitates, about the community, and about the supports for awareness practice that are available, go to:

website: www.theoneopendoor.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoneopendoor
Daily Dharma private Facebook group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/dailydharma
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_edOCF0OcOdyCqIcFK_IbA
Instagram: @theoneopendoor

David McKay entered a Zen Buddhist monastery at the age of twenty-nine and spent the next eighteen years training there in silence. Over time he became a skilled facilitator and counselor, offering retreats and workshops at the monastery and across the country. David left the monastery in the fall of 2014 to further explore life and spiritual practice back in the world. He currently supports awareness and personal transformation in the form of retreats, workshops, and one-on-one spiritual mentoring.