T-4.IV – The Ego’s Need to Confirm Itself
April 7, 2021
In this section, the Course’s definition of the ego takes shape and some of its key characteristics and “laws” are on display. “Giving to get” (1:5) is one key law. In a couple chapters we’ll learn important lessons of the Holy Spirit, which includes the principle, “to have, give all to all” (T-6.VII.A.4:5), which is the opposite of the ego’s giving to get. This principle is how the ego judges itself in relation to other egos.
The Freudian concept of dueling drives is acknowledged: the pleasure principle, where we seek to derive pleasure for the body with food, money, sex, must contend with the reality principle which acknowledges that there are social restrictions placed on my getting those things. In this world, the ego must make concessions to “reality,” although Jesus is telling us that it is not reality at all (2:5-6).
As with Bill’s fear of teaching, self-esteem in ego terms is merely inflation or depletion of our image. This plays out in all human circles, as people rise and fall in stature and esteem based on how well their ego is perceived. This dynamic of being at the mercy of others makes the ego inherently weak and leaves us completely on our own (5:5). Thus we “turn to other egos and unite with them in a feeble attempt at identification or attack them in an equally feeble show of strength” (5:3). Even with those who we unite with we are still in conflict as we constantly compare ourselves to them, to see who is getting more. So, getting is a way of not just meeting a need, it is how the ego confirms itself. By getting bodily needs met, the ego is inflated, its never about the body in itself, the body is just the mechanism for getting. This is ultimately why meeting bodily needs does not deliver real satisfaction.
Though the ego seeks a sense of belonging through building alliances with other egos, it still makes “ceaseless attempts to gain spirit’s acknowledgement” (6:1).
Can you relate to this idea of wanting to have your self-concept confirmed as real? The ego is shouting at spirit, trying to get its attention, saying “this is the authentic me.” Yet our soul knows different, and is not even aware of the ego, “it cannot conceive of it at all” (6:3).
The soul is a creation of God, it is truly formless and fully created. Human mythology about creation usually has a starting point with the physical creation, whereas the Course sees our actual creation as having nothing to do with the body or physical creation at all. Because the soul is fully created, we do not require any salvation, there is nothing real that we need to be saved from. This does not deprive salvation of meaning; it is still meaningful in the sense that we must be saved from the wrong-mindedness of the ego until we achieve the one-mindedness of the spirit (9:2). By perceiving with our right mind, we are without attack, which is the process for relinquishing the ego.
The last few paragraphs address the idea of thought system reliability and validity. Behavior is a means and validity applies to what is being measured. If I want to measure true perception (or right-mindedness) to determine it as valid within my own thought system, I will have to first establish whether the behavior that I am measuring (perception) is true or right-minded. The ego’s thought system is based on separation and is valid because the means for achieving its end is by attacking and attempting to get from others. The spirit’s thought system is based on unity, and it is proven valid by loving behavior. Both the ego’s and the spirit’s thought system are internally consistent.
The section ends by reiterating an early point about not focusing on ambition, inventiveness, or ingenuity. These are poor substitutes for children of God. We may recall, there is nothing we must do to establish our worth or our reality in God’s eyes. We see ourselves in His light only, and from that perception we look out unto the world with a truly creative spirit, not an image that must make plans for defense, attack, “giving to get” and forming solidarity with other egos based on principles of scarcity. Instead, we will have a “real and lasting sense of abundance” (1:1) and will join with others from that spirit of true abundance.
Suggested Practice
I am a creation of God, joined with all my brothers in abundance of spirit and the strength of God.