Ramey Rieger (X) Dec 4, 2014:

@Anne Yes, that's the problem. The example is relatively common one - if I enjoy dancing naked and growling like a bear, I am morally suspicious - to myself, and heaven forbid if I get caught doing it. But it is exactly this that brings me freedom and joy, opening my heart and mind, expanding and healing, if only temporarily, my morally correct concept of myself, which is very good for my Self. Sticky business, for sure. The Self can certainly be reticent to dive into dilemmas, but it always knows what is good because it is not driven by ego (possessions, reputation, social status, religious or political dictates, etc.), but by a desire to be 'connected' to the whole.

Anne Schulz Dec 4, 2014:

@Ramey That's what makes it so confusing: based on this concept, it is probably the Ego that shirks, and the Self which benefits form healing – but in both cases, the text uses "das Ich".

Ramey Rieger (X) Dec 4, 2014:

Good morning Jonathan! This is a much disputed term and depends on the author's perspective.
In classic homeopathy and alternative healing we often strive to surmount ego in the belief it hinders 'true' healing. The Self is that elusive being that wishes unity of our various aspects, instigating confrontation with 'life's issues' in order to heal, and grow to be better human beings. The ego, in this particular school of thought, is what has evolved from our conditioning and what we usually consider our 'identity' - the more rigid this identification, the more we insist on its absoluteness, the less healing can take place. I would ask the client which term is appropriate in this case, as it is an ideological term.