An old Cherokee grandfather is teaching his grandson about life. He tells the boy that there are two wolves fighting inside each of us. One wolf is evil; it is anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, and ego. The other wolf is good; it is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, and compassion.
The grandfather then asks his grandson, "Which wolf wins?" The boy thinks for a moment and responds, "The one you feed."
This parable illustrates the idea that the ego and our better nature are constantly in conflict within us, and that the one we feed – through our thoughts, actions, and attitudes – will ultimately determine our character and our destiny. By choosing to feed the good wolf through practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and compassion, we can cultivate a more peaceful and fulfilling life, and reduce the ego's negative impact on our lives.
The ego, or our sense of self, while necessary, can often create unnecessary stress and conflict in our lives. Here are some practices that can help calm the ego:
Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices like meditation or breathing exercises can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to observe and detach from them without judgment.
Gratitude: Practicing gratitude by focusing on the good things in your life can help shift your focus away from the ego's tendency to focus on negative thoughts and emotions.
Compassion: Practicing compassion towards yourself and others can help you develop a more empathetic and understanding perspective, reducing the ego's need to be right or defend itself.
Humility: Cultivating a sense of humility and recognizing that you don't have all the answers can help reduce the ego's need to control situations and people.
Forgiveness: Practicing forgiveness towards yourself and others can help release negative emotions and reduce the ego's need to hold onto grudges.
By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can calm the ego and cultivate a greater sense of inner peace and well-being.