Ancient Egyptian Wisdom – Mind, Ego, and Suffering
In the spiritual traditions of ancient Egypt, balance was considered the ultimate path to harmony, both within oneself and in the world. This principle, known as Ma’at, emphasized order, truth, and balance as the foundation of a peaceful life. The pursuit of extreme positivity or negativity disrupts this natural order, stirring up the ego, desires, and attachments that inevitably lead to suffering. Instead, the wisdom of the ancients teaches us that true peace lies in balance, a state free from turmoil, ego, and clinging.
The Ego and Desires – Disturbing the Balance of Ma’at
In ancient Egypt, the ego, or ib (heart), was seen as central to one’s spiritual health. However, an ego driven by desires and fears disrupts the natural balance of the soul. When we lean too heavily toward positive or negative thinking, we disturb the balance of Ma’at, allowing the ego to take control. A positive mindset can feed the ego with endless desires for success, pleasure, and recognition, while a negative mindset traps us in fear, anxiety, and aversion. Both paths lead to attachment, whether to material outcomes, emotional states, or a false sense of self.
The ancient Egyptians believed that desires, represented by the god Set, could lead one away from balance and toward chaos, or Isfet. When we allow our ego to pursue desires or cling to fears, we fall into Isfet, disorder and suffering. This attachment to external outcomes pulls us away from Ma’at, the state of inner harmony and truth, causing turmoil in both the individual and society.
The Wisdom of Balance – The Path of Non-Attachment
The ancient Egyptians revered the goddess Ma’at as the embodiment of cosmic balance, truth, and harmony. To live in alignment with Ma’at meant to live free of attachment and ego, accepting the flow of life without clinging to either joy or sorrow. In this balanced state, there is no turmoil, no ego, and no suffering, only peace.
Ancient teachings emphasize that we must not allow our ego to dominate or let desires control our actions. Instead, we must seek balance within ourselves, walking the middle path between extremes. By doing so, we free ourselves from the illusion of control and from the need to cling to outcomes. This practice allows us to live in harmony with the universe, in a state of hetep (inner peace), where suffering dissolves.
Solitude and Breath – Tools for Aligning with Ma’at
In the spiritual practices of ancient Egypt, solitude and breathing were key tools for achieving alignment with Ma’at. Solitude was revered as a time for reflection and communion with the divine. It was in solitude that one could remove the distractions of the material world and clear the mind of desires and ego-driven thoughts. Even when surrounded by loved ones, finding solitude within is essential for spiritual growth. The heart must be light, unburdened by attachments, to pass the weighing of the heart in the afterlife. Solitude helps us cultivate this lightness by clearing away mental and emotional blockages.
Breathing was considered a divine gift, linked to the life force itself, known as ankh. The ancient Egyptians believed that conscious, mindful breathing allowed one to connect to this life force, bringing calm and focus. Through breathing, we ground ourselves in the present, centering the mind and quieting the ego. In each breath, we align ourselves with Ma’at, releasing the turmoil of desires and attachments that cloud the mind and weigh down the heart.
The Turmoil of the Mind – Disrupting Cosmic Harmony
The turmoil of the mind, driven by ego and attachment, was seen in ancient Egypt as a force of chaos, or Isfet. Just as the Nile’s flooding could bring either fertility or destruction, the uncontrolled mind could lead to disorder in both the individual and society. When the mind is not in balance, it disturbs the harmony of Ma’at, which affects not only personal well-being but the order of the cosmos itself.
In the ancient worldview, the health of the individual was directly connected to the health of the community and the world. The collective turmoil of ego-driven desires and fears leads to societal chaos, much like we see in the world today. The greed, conflicts, and environmental destruction we face are the results of minds out of balance with Ma’at. If humanity continues to allow ego and attachment to rule, the consequences will be devastating, not just for individuals but for the future of our planet.
Releasing Burdens for Spiritual Freedom
The Egyptians believed that the soul could only achieve eternal peace by releasing the burdens of the ego and desires. The famous “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony in the afterlife was a metaphor for this truth. A heart weighed down by attachment and ego could not pass into the eternal fields of Aaru (paradise). Only a heart as light as a feather, free from the turmoil of the mind, could achieve eternal peace.
To release these burdens, we must enter a state of inner solitude, separating the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. In this space, we clear away the ideologies, beliefs, and attachments that no longer serve us. The ego, with its constant craving and clinging, must be dissolved so that we may return to the balanced state of Ma’at. By doing so, we align ourselves with the cosmic order, experiencing peace and clarity.
Creating a Future in Alignment with Ma’at
The turmoil of the mind is not only destroying individual lives but also the world around us. The wisdom of ancient Egypt reminds us that the key to restoring order, both personally and globally, lies in balance. By cultivating solitude, practicing mindful breathing, and releasing the ego, we return to the path of Ma’at, where suffering fades, and harmony prevails.
As we learn to live in balance, we contribute to the cosmic order that sustains all life. By removing the burdens of ego and desires, we free ourselves and begin to heal the world. Our future depends on this alignment with Ma’at, a future where peace, not turmoil, guides the destiny of humanity.
In the end, the teachings of ancient Egypt call us to return to balance, to embrace solitude as a space of renewal, and to honor the power of breath as a tool for grounding. When we align with Ma’at, we transcend the suffering of the ego and find peace in the eternal flow of life.
