The ego is the false self. As it is understood in Eastern philosophy, the ego came to be as a way to protect the inner child. When we needed to survive in childhood whatever we were experiencing, a part of us needed to hide, and we developed a false self to protect the true essence of who we are. So, the ego grew in order to protect us. It grew to keep us safe. But really, this ego must be kept in check with a close and careful eye. It needs to release the belief that it has to stay in control. When it does, when we are able to shed the ego, our true essence can be in the lead, and we can
