There are many forms of drama, and the
false self (ego) enjoys either taking part in or observing them. Why?
The ego wants to feel that it is more
valuable, powerful, or fortunate than others. It cannot do this without conflict, because getting along with others
means that everyone is in the same position. It has to criticize others or attract attention to itself in order to
feel more valuable. It has to exert
force on others in order to feel more powerful.
It has to see others as unfortunate so it can feel fortunate. This is why so many people love to point out
the “bad” thing a politician or celebrity did; or claim that all people of a
certain race, religion, or country are “bad”; or brag; or tell woe-is-me stories; or
bully others; or spread rumors; or ridicule others for their mistakes; or see
news reports about starving people or earthquake victims. The misfortunes of others give the ego a
false and temporary “lift”: if someone else has been lowered, then the ego is “higher” by comparison. And its own misfortunes are used to gain self-validation via others’
sympathy.
If the ego cannot find real-life drama, it
will seek it in television shows. It
loves to absorb itself in a juicy story of betrayal, violence, or personal
pain. This provides the false self with
a substitute form of drama.
The true self doesn’t want any kind of
conflict because its nature is acceptance.
It experiences things as they are and does not compare or compete. It is always in the moment, not thinking, but
simply aware.
