The Road Not Seen: Learning from Our Ego's Missteps

The wild buffalo of balance ©2023 Life in Synergy®

Hello there, friends.

Have you ever approached a teacher or a mentor, seeking guidance, only to let your ego convince you that you knew better?

It's a peculiar twist, isn't it? We seek out someone for their wisdom, and then, at the pivotal moment, our pride blinds us. This is a story not just about a wrong turn but about the humbling lessons that follow. Picture this: you're standing at a crossroads in your life. You know you need guidance, so you seek out a teacher. But as they begin to share their wisdom, a voice inside you whispers, “You know better.” This is where the journey takes an unexpected turn. The moment we tell our teacher, "I know more," we embark on a path led by ego. It seems right, fueled by a sense of self-assuredness. But soon, this path reveals its true nature – a labyrinth of repetitive patterns and missed wisdom. The wrong turn wasn't just a stray path; it was a mirror showing us the complexities of our own pride. Realizing the folly, we often then retreat to seek answers alone, jumping from book to book, philosophy to philosophy. Each book, each idea, feels like a step towards redemption, a way to fill the gaps we created. But the real answer isn't in the pages; it's in the unspoken dialogue between our ego and humility.

Revisiting the Teacher

There's profound power in revisiting that moment of prideful assertion.

What if admitting "I thought I knew more" is the first step towards truly understanding the bigger picture? This humbling return to the teacher – be it a person, a moment, or an experience – is where true learning resumes. The integration of this lesson is a dance of humility and wisdom. It's recognizing that our journey is enriched not just by the knowledge we seek from a mentor but also by understanding the limits of what we know. It's a delicate balance between seeking guidance and valuing the wisdom we already possess. Armed with this new understanding, our journey takes a more open-hearted turn. We still seek knowledge, but with an awareness of our own fallibility. Each step, each 'mistake', becomes a valuable chapter in our book of life, teaching us about humility, wisdom, and the beauty of lifelong learning.

In the end, our wrong turn – telling a teacher we knew more – becomes a critical point of growth. It's a chance for a lesson in humility, in the value of guidance, and in the power of admitting our missteps. Our paths are not just about the knowledge we gain but also about the wisdom we discover in our own vulnerabilities.

Today, think back to a moment when your ego led the way.

What did this experience teach you? Remember, the most profound lessons often come from acknowledging our misjudgments and embracing the journey back to humility and learning that leads back to the teacher that we thought we knew more. We always would joke at our multi award winning wellness studio on Boston’s Newbury street with this statement when clients entered the “ I know”….” I have no idea what you are talking about, but I know more about it than you”.

Helena and Brian Collins Best of Boston Winners and lifelong spiritual teachers to countless individuals and businesses

www.lifeinsynergy.com