The Rise and Fall of the Ego: Why the Soul Must Lead

President Donald Trump adn Elon Musk speak before departing the White House on March 14th. Photo Credit: CNBC

Imagine sitting in a car. You’re the observer. But who’s driving?

For most people, the answer is the ego—firmly gripping the wheel, speeding toward desires, defending against imagined threats, chasing approval, status, and power. Meanwhile, the higher self—the wise, calm navigator—sits quietly in the backseat.

But what happens when we let ego drive not just our lives, but our entire world?

Let’s explore what the ego truly is, why it exists, how it functions in the brain, and what happens when we allow it to dominate—individually and collectively.


What Is the Ego?

In psychology, the ego is the part of our mind that helps us function in the world. It negotiates between our instincts (id), moral ideals (superego), and external reality. It forms a sense of identity—the “I” that interacts with the world.

In spirituality, the ego is the false self. It’s the mask we wear, the roles we play, the stories we believe about who we are. It operates in separation, fear, and comparison. It says, “I am this body, this status, this job, this belief.”

But none of those are truly you.


How the Ego Operates in the Brain

The ego thrives on dopamine—the brain’s reward chemical. Every time you receive praise, a win, a like on social media, or prove someone wrong, the ego feels validated. You get a dopamine hit. You feel important. But it doesn’t last.

This is why the ego constantly chases--more money, more validation, more control.

It also reacts quickly to threats, real or perceived. A raised eyebrow can feel like an attack. The ego’s job is to protect the false identity it has created. So it responds with anger, pride, defensiveness—or aggression.

It was once useful for survival. But now, it mostly defends illusions.


When the Ego Causes Suffering

Let’s say someone insults you. You feel rage. That’s the ego defending its image. In that moment, you suffer from the intensity of the emotion—and you may hurt someone else in response.

The ego’s mission is to maintain its version of truth. It justifies its reactions and rarely admits fault. That’s why it’s hard for people trapped in ego to back down, apologize, or reflect.

This isn’t just personal—it’s collective.


The Rise of the Ego-System

We live in an Ego-System—a society built to feed and reward egoic behavior.

From advertisements that say, “Look what they have—you need this too,” to social media platforms that reward attention-seeking and outrage, we are constantly being trained to feed our false self.

The bigger the ego, the bigger the desires—and the greater the consumption.

Success is often measured not by inner peace or love, but by how much you have, how loud you are, and how many people follow you.

This system has normalized ego-driven behavior. We excuse it, reward it, even admire it.


Famous Examples: When Ego Rules

Let’s take a closer look at a few familiar figures:

Donald Trump

Regardless of politics, he’s widely seen as someone with a strong ego. His success has often come through fear-based negotiation, force, and bold self-promotion. In an ego-driven society, that’s effective. We say, “He gets things done,” even if the cost is emotional, relational, or moral. But this approach brings long-term damage—internally and externally. Resistance follows force. Power built on fear cannot bring peace.

Elon Musk

A visionary with enormous ambition, but his unfiltered tweets and provocative behavior reveal a restless ego at work. He may create groundbreaking innovations, but the thrill of ego often takes center stage—sometimes overshadowing the mission. This isn’t judgment—it’s observation. We all have ego. But the bigger it grows, the harder it is to see clearly.


History Doesn’t Lie

Let’s reflect on the past:

• Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor, expanded with unstoppable ambition—and died in exile.
• Adolf Hitler, fueled by delusion and domination, brought unspeakable suffering to the world—and perished in the ashes of a ruined Germany.
• The Roman Empire, proud and powerful, fell from within due to excess, corruption, and hubris.

The ego always crashes.
It’s not a question of if—but when.

No illusion can last forever.
What’s built on fear, separation, and pride will eventually collapse under its own weight.


The Alternative: Letting the Soul Drive

The ego isn’t evil. It’s just not meant to lead.

The goal isn’t to kill the ego—it’s to move it to the backseat.
Let your higher self—your soul, your truth, your deeper wisdom—take the wheel.

The ego can still speak up when it needs to protect or push you into action.
But it doesn’t need to drive your decisions, relationships, or life purpose.

Because a life led by ego may win battles—but it loses peace.

And a world led by ego might gain power—but it sacrifices soul.


A Final Reflection

We are in a time of heightened ego momentum. The world feels louder, angrier, and more divided. That’s not just coincidence—it’s the ego-system in full swing.

But awareness is the beginning of transformation.

Notice the voice in your mind that demands, defends, and divides.
Then ask: Who is really driving?

When the soul leads, the path is slower, softer, but infinitely wiser.


Want to dive deeper into this topic or share your reflections? Leave a comment or share this article with someone navigating their own ego journey. Let’s raise collective awareness—one soul at a time.