The Superego: A Two-Edged Sword

Superego attacks of judgement, comparison and criticism are authoritarian power statements that are narrowly referenced, biased and predominantly false. These judgements are given to us to serve as frames of reference in determining the experience of our self identity. The intent is that we find this negative frame of reference to be painful and that we take action to change it.

The action initiated is supposed to be one that will please the superego, and cause it to withdraw its negative judgement. Hopefully, the superego will substitute a positive judgement that we can use as a frame of reference for identity in place of the painful negative one. In a nutshell, superego manipulates the perception of one's identity in order to have power to influence one's actions.

This raises some basic questions. Can one's identity really be known by others? Seen, valued, perceived, and discerned accurately? When judging others as superego, is it our right to say, "This is how you are", or is it more truthful to say, "This is how you appear to me"? Superego judgement of others always wounds them because it always places the power of self knowledge outside themselves.

Doesn't the one acting as judge also lose? They validate the process of superego identity judgements. Superegos are thus acknowledged as empowered to determine identity for others and are simultaneously acknowledged as having the power to assign our own identities. In this way the wound of superego always cuts both ways. Thus, it is true that we can't be free of superego's tyranny over ourselves unless we give up judging and criticising others. Having an active superego is like owning a temperamental and vicious dog. If it isn't kept busy and engaged stalking and biting others, it will turn and bite us.

For us to attack, judge and criticize others is tantamount to attacking ourselves. It may temporarily postpone our wounding, but makes it none the less a certainty. Superego is strengthened, emboldened, nourished and empowered every time we use it internally or externally.

Self-realization, the knowledge and experience of who we really are, is subverted, blocked and denied by superego. Every time the superego is exercised it increases the veil that blocks our awakening.