ABSTRACT
The ego has ended its transitional process. Now more or less stable, it discovers the world through the five senses. Its clear relationship with reality equals the completed separation between consciousness and the unconscious. Capable of dual perception, the ego judges accordingly: rational versus irrational; bright versus dark. Ontogenetically (over decades) and phylogenetically (over millenia), the focus lies on strengthening the ego. Symbolically, the ego is the hero who secures his existence and has triumphed over the powers of darkness. Non-duality is far removed from the ego. What once proved threatening during transition now seems banished: the primordial atmosphere (i.e., the non-dual and wholesome atmosphere) is repressed or tabooed. Nevertheless, the ego is mostly both rooted in trust (healthy ego) and determined by primordial fear (distress-ego). Lacking solid foundations, the distress-ego is constantly fleeing, yet without knowing what from. It must keep protecting itself, as well as legitimize itself from the outside. Many unhealthy coping strategies, defense mechanisms, and one-sided views emerge. This chapter also presents symbols, experiences of music, and images of God/the divine that are typical of our alienation from the non-dual dimension.
