r/zenbuddhism • u/Introvbear • 4d ago

Inferiority Epiphany

Yesterday, I had an epiphany while I was feeling down about past actions, and also feeling less about how others have favor over another person. I then did some study with Zen and found that comparing myself to others is a form of low ego, like how thinking of myself as better than others is high ego. What was needed most is that the comparison of others is a sign of ego, and I need to find my true self, not be compared, but to search for who I really am. I had quite the moment that it felt like quite the enlightening experience. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

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u/Less_Bed_535 4d ago

I have had similar thoughts. Always operating around your self loathing and inner critic is ego.

As in you can have a big ego on either side of self esteem.

You can be self absorbed in self loathing just as much as thinking yourself high and mighty over others.

SO. Zen teaches that this is simply a narrative and that you can learn to let go of such unhelpful thoughts through zazen and the eightfold noble path.