2. the ego - the identity of power
Negativity: fear, drives, power and lies
Power from the unconscious
The ego is in lack and negativity and also draws its raison d'être from negativity. It feeds on it and thus creates more and more negativity for man himself and also for his environment. In order to be able to rule unhindered, however, the ego hides in the shadows, namely in the unconscious, and manipulates the human being from there through the drivesvia negative persuasions or fear.
Access to consciousness
Because it lacks the confidence that it will get what it needs, it wants power in order to be able to take and rule. And to expand its power, it also instrumentalizes consciousness. By poisoning it with lies and fear, it abuses its capacity for strategic planning, which becomes "cunning" to advance selfish goals. Also, the mind is abused to justify evil deeds afterwards ("The world is so unjust, therefore I must ..."; see The Rise of the Serpent and the Ego).
The former animal instinct of self-preservation
With the help of consciousness, the ego quickly grows beyond mere self-preservation. For it never has enough, but always wants more: more resources, more money, more power, and its greed knows no bounds.
Domination through devaluation and condemnation
Thus, the ego acts as a merciless shadow ruler who is immediately on the spot with the evaluation, accusation and condemnation. And because its judgment is harsh and merciless, it also cannot possibly see the problem in itself. Rather, it is also the source of shame and fears punishment, so that it rather projects the hated weaknesses and characteristics outward and assigns guilt to all others (see The Projection of the Shadow).