The Devil's Hat Trick

The hat trick is one where a rabbit or some such, is magically drawn from an empty hat. The Devils hat trick is a disappearing trick: a trick where we become convinced that we grow spiritually by means of self-mutilation, and subsequently disappear up our own ass.

There are many systems teaching that the extinguishment of ego is possible and desirable. Were I the Devil, I would go about whispering such in minds spiritually curious. What part of us would wish extinguishment of ego? Extinguishment of ego is an egotistical pursuit. We would not engage in such self-hypnotic pretzle-twistings did we not wish to see ourselves more spiritually handsome creatures.

Ego is no enemy any more than skin is an enemy. Healthy ego is as necessary to our well being as healthy skin. We attempt to extirpate ego from our behavioral repertoire at our peril. Like skin, ego is a sensitive outer layer protecting the complex structure beneath. Ego’s sensitivity provides valuable information about the environment, and upon ego's strength or weakness depends much of our success in the manipulations necessary to the quality of our survival. Ego ergo I go, and if we seek first to be wholly Aware, ego can (kind of like a sheepdog) be left to do its job with minimal supervision.

Freak Freely 

Freak freely 

What have you to gain or lose 

Except the idea of your molded self 

Or the tenuous respect of uptight others 

Or the chance to have a lot of stuff 

Or an insight into your true face 

Or the devotion of true friends 

Or a few things worth having 

Freak freely 

Your instinct to survive will not evaporate 

From the heat that is inevitable when first you begin 

And if it does 

The world is better off without you 

So freak freely