[Buddha-l] re. means of ego-inflation

[Timothy Smith]

I find Robert's position to mirror my own pretty closely.  I find the  
methodologies of both Jungian (integrative/depth) psych. and buddhist  
practice to be complementary.
I have a hard time adopting any one 'system' as 'the' path, but find  
that there are many ways to approach the ongoing problem of "what the  
hell is the matte with me."
Timothy Smith
Wheelwright Associates


On Mar 4, 2009, at 1:24 AM, Robert Ellis wrote:
>
>
> However, integrative psychology (such as Jungian psychology) offers  
> a clearer application of the Middle Way in relation to ego than  
> anything I have come across in traditional Buddhism. There is no  
> idea there of removing the ego or becoming egoless, but rather of  
> stretching ego identifications and unifying them with opposing  
> desires and beliefs, to remove the false dichotomies we constantly  
> create in our interpretation of the world. The constant reference in  
> Buddhist language and symbology to idealised selfless and pure  
> states is the main reason why I have stopped calling myself a  
> Buddhist: but the central insight of the Middle Way nevertheless  
> offers a way forward that avoids being stuck in dichotomies of the  
> self.
> Best wishes,
> Robert
>