Started treating my ego like a scared child instead of an enemy

You know how spiritual communities talk about "killing the ego" or "transcending the ego"? Spent years trying to fight mine. Judging myself for every anxious thought, every moment of pride, every flash of insecurity.

Then during meditation last week, something shifted. My ego showed up with its usual fears - but instead of trying to silence it, I just listened. Like you'd listen to a scared kid.

Realized something: My ego isn't some dark force to overcome. It's more like a part of me that learned to be afraid. That built walls because it needed them once. That's still running old survival programs because nobody ever showed it another way.

Started talking to it differently. When it gets scared about money - I listen. When it wants recognition - I get curious why. When it feels threatened - I offer it safety instead of shame.

Still have an ego. Still get caught in its stories sometimes. But now there's more compassion there. Like watching a child learn to trust that the world isn't always dangerous.

Turns out the ego doesn't need to be killed. It just needs to be heard.