In Buddhism, for example, a person’s ego is the source of attachment, anger, and greed; spiritual growth requires the death of this false self. Hindus speak of moksha, the moment when we let go of our egos and become one with the Supreme God. Celtic Pagans perceived initiation as the death of the old self, allowing a new self to be born; old patterns and attachments must fall away for the soul to move forward in its path. Modern-day Pagans speak of putting themselves “in Brigid’s hands” (referring to the Goddess Brigid, predecessor of Saint Brigid); in doing so, they offer themselves to the
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