Abnegation of the Ego

Love gives up the ego, at least partially.
When we say someone opens up, it is a metaphor for relaxing the structure of the ego: acting as if something else mattered, investing attention and focus and power into an alien object.

Mysticism is the abnegation of the ego... even though there is no material being at hand to reciprocate. There is the leap of faith. When we give up the ego, we tend to fall. Something has to be there to support us. In love, we find our extra support and validation in the sparkling and wet eyes of the loved one. When, however, we are alone with God it is quite a different matter.

We have certain schemata and scenarios for mysticism. All mystics must roll their eyes towards heaven, receive the stigmata or other wounds, and fall into trances. These are nothing more than images and stories devised to try and illustrate what happens when the ego begins to crack open. Furthermore, notice that the scenarios of Mysticism share a good deal of imagery with the myths of Love: trances, swoons, and people acting moonstruck!

We fear the absence of the Ego. We chant daily to reinforce it. We pound holy books into our children's heads to build up the religious wing in the mansion of Ego.
I do not know what God does, but the Holy dances and bids me release...

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