Strengthening a Weak Ego Structure Through Mindfulness ~ Shinzen Young

Shinzen shares some examples of using mindfulness to help strengthen a weak ego structure, including borderline personalities.
Filmed in Nov. 2009 at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre in Niagara Falls.

[@richard6088]

I have been diagnosed with BPD in the past. I realized while watching another video that the symptoms for weak ego are the same for BPD. So I came here and you affirmed that they're the same. Although I don't present with many of the features of BPD I once had I still have an issue with identity and the sense of self. I think these tips and that realization will help me immense.

[@velvetindigonight]

Snap. Do have a look at Robert Plamondon's 'Ego strengthening' session here on YT I have found it very useful and my closest definitely notice a difference! But you are right 'stuff' does come up to work through................Also I have recently realised that I fit many of the criteria for Aspergers I recommend anything by Prof Attwood here on You Tube. Huge relief at the age of 61! I'ts common for intelligent and kind people to go undiagnosed because we tend not to be a problem at school and we adapt in later life! Psychologists believe it will be a huge theme in the next ten years as schools and psychiatry recognise this. At the moment psychiatry does not acknowledge that Aspergers could be the main issue not BPD. We need to adapt our lives. It is working for me. Lot's of help here on YT and some free indicator testing on line. Go well............

[@henryshewell8855]

All-round best meditation teacher living.

[@Raina430]

It would be interesting to hear a Q&A between Shinzen and some people with Borderline Personality disorder on the use of these techniques on something that is,for many people, considered such a difficult and intractable mental illness. It would be great if these universal principles could become more widely used and understood. Thank you.

[@Raina430]

Brilliant point, thank you Shinzen! I have also, found, in doing what you suggest, that as I get more grounded, the feelings and the related incidents that caused me to have the weak ego structure to begin with emerge. If I didn't understand the psychology of this, and how to make myself a safe space to feel into these imprints and cry or shed tears of rage, I would not know how to let this emerge, and then I would begin to hold it somewhere, and it would come out in a dysfunctional way.

[@velvetindigonight]

Agreed! I've had the same experience. Enjoy

[@LeoMessi-nj4zc]

@@velvetindigonight could you please help me with what he said in a simpler manner
I'm waiting for your reply.

[@markbrad123]

Appreciate Shinzen's flexible approach to life.

[@gdup1728]

Loss all sense of themselves - in an un healthy sense
Dysfunctional, uncomfortable, causing suffering and disorientation
Lose contact with myself (in a negative way) when confronted with other (sights, sounds, physical touch from another human being)
I’m plagued by what you describe. Can this response not be described as dissociation? When i encounter the world i often feel ‘not all there’, i cant think, i dont feel even half present. It’s strange. But it’s some sort of stress response, although it’s clearly pathologically because it happens with very minor things like going to class, doing a minor project. My life has been pretty terrible because of it.
I didnt have the mental energy to follow understand the solution you proposed but i will come back and rewatch it sometime. My current game plan is; to not run away - continue with normal human life, build my ego up (particularly defend myself, care for myself), eventually i will grow more comfortable and more present thru being mindful of where i am and what i am doing.

[@killercreek450]

so strengthening the self? like producing a greater intimacy with ones self?

[@YO-LND]

Thanks, but what is the method you are sharing, you've said you adapted the method to help without any description of the technique. Opportunity for more quality content and greater success as a vlogger

[@velvetindigonight]

Correct. I have recently realised that I fit many of the criteria for Aspergers I recommend anything by Prof Attwood here on You Tube. Huge relief at the age of 61! I'ts common for intelligent and kind people to go undiagnosed because we tend not to be a problem at school and we adapt in later life! Psychologists believe it will be a huge theme in the next ten years as schools and psychiatry recognise this? At the moment psychiatry does not acknowledge that Aspergers could be the main issue not BPD. We need to adapt our lives. It is working for me. Lot's of help here on YT and some free indicator testing on line. Go well............

[@amyr8510]

Could you explain what you mean by "feel, image, talk"? I'd like to practice this.

[@KaizerNYC]

How else would you describe what the ego structure is? I'm trying to delve more into it and how to understand and strengthen it. Like I know what the ego is and the difference between the ego and the true self, but what I'm really trying to understand is the general structure of the ego and how to prevent falling into being more easily susceptible to it. I've been doing mindfulness meditation most of my life but lately I've been finding it harder to do for different reasons which is why I wanna learn a little more about this.

[@supDARe36]

I will begin by telling you I am not expert but this topic has peaked my interest recently. I understand that the ego is a mediator between the conscious and unconscious. When the ego is working at it's best it gives you consistency. By consistency, you are able to distinguish other's and yourself while being self accepting,. Your mental, physical and emotional health are present at their fullest. Most of my life I was told to let my ego out of situations but only now I understand this is an unhealthy or weak ego structure they are referring to. A weak ego structure is someone who is anything but authentic, merges with others to the danger of losing their own entity, lives in a fantasy world and do not express themselves for fear of shame etc. Ego strength promotes healthy living while a weak ego structure robs you of vitality, self improvement, new experiences; living.

[@justrenee2640]

@@supDARe36 this is sooo true and I've been learning to figure out ways to strengthen my weak ego

[@gdup1728]

@@supDARe36 what a great explanation. Thank u. I really like your idea about the ego gives us a sense of consistency. A sense of self (which has to be solid to some degree, but not overly rigid) and sense of other. Without this it’s difficult to have a healthy identity, to care and advocate for yourself and also integrate the self with others people who are important to themselves,

[@Cleo2706]

Sounds like good tips, I'll try.

[@gj3080]

I didn't understand from 1:50
PLEASE EXPLAIN!!!!

[@claudianemes4408]

Would you also share what these slightly altered meditation techniques are?

[@islamtanvir9230]

Excellent

[@cheeseballs4255]

But can you dissolve the 'bad' ego while strengthening the 'good' ego at the same time?

[@chazchillings3019]

I think from Jung, you want to dissolve your shadow. Embrace your opposite amina/amineus. Realize your Self. But the first step is to strengthen your ego. Then deconstruct/map out your other parts