Hi Alan,
Look here for instructions on how to use quotes…
http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=906
I think understanding the motivation and mechanism of people lording over each other is as important as working on enlightening ourselves.
I agree with this statement also, but understanding the motivation and mechanism of people lording over each other can only come through understanding ourselves.
For me this understanding comes with the neverending enquiry and laying bare of the layer upon layer of the superior/inferior polarity within me/us.
Whilst I can understand intellectually that I am equal to everyone, on an emotional level I am continually caught with the reality of my superior/inferior, almost unconscious dialogue with people. In fact most of it is unconscious and only becomes conscious as the enquiry goes on, once this happens it can be unravelled.
The more I recognise the traps of my superior/inferior polarity the more I can recognise it in others, not necessarily in opposition to them but as “ah yes, that’s me also, I’ve been there got the tee shirt and I still have so much of it left to deal with - I feel compassion for you”
It would be common courtesy also to perhaps point out traps that others are in, ones that you would recognise from experience - is this opposition ?
The opposition I would see as necessary would be more to do with social relationships and all the necessary and unnessary boundries that come with this. Boundries are constantly being challenged and have to be checked, or the action of the challenger opposed.
Of course because I have ego (and lots of it) I have limited compassion and then a judgement might turn into opposition. This is then an opportunity to further delve into my superior/inferior polarity and perhaps uncover another layer. 
Ether, apologies if I have mis-understood what you said.
It would be presumptuous of me to make comment on your work because I don’t have experience in that field, but take my hat off to you for the work that you do.
L
Good job Louis. I think you summed it all up and integrated it.
Sparkle, yes, we need to understand that mechanism within ourselves first, then we have tools to help other people with it.
I’m coming from quite a different place than you. I have very little ego, (which creates problems also)so I am not provoked very easily. So for me to stand up to an egomaniac and confront them takes acting. I’m not really angry inside, and I don’t really care about what I am saying. So instead of taming my ego, I have to learn to be a good actor. Those people won’t listen otherwise.
Shanti said:
Sure you’re strong enough. you don’t have to do it all at once. Just little by little you’ll find situations you could have handled better, and play act in your head the better way to do it. Sometimes it takes a lot of thought to figure out a way, but that is one little tool you can use next time. you have to build an arsenal of these little tools.
do I think the change comes from meditation? No, but the ability to handle it more easily does. The change comes from my karma, and life choices. My purpose in life is a peacemaker, so that’s why I run up against this stuff. I’d much rather be a hermit, but i take on any challenge I get.
I was perfectly happy ignoring such things, but when the same lesson repeats itself in your life it means you’re not handling it according to god’s will.
David said:
Good job Louis. I think you summed it all up and integrated it.
Thanks David, I felt also we were coming together on this, I’m glad you see it that way also. 
Ether said:
I’m coming from quite a different place than you. I have very little ego
Lucky you Ether
L
Whew! I’m glad this appears to be over 'cause I was getting a little winded and wasn’t quite sure if I was just getting in the way. Though the subject(s) is important stuff one must laugh at the process of all the different points of view and how they work their way around each other and how things go where they go. That could be a thread in itself
Peace, alan
Etherfish said:
I’m coming from quite a different place than you. I have very little ego, (which creates problems also)so I am not provoked very easily.
If it’s true, lucky you indeed. If it’s false and you believe it, you’re in serious trouble spiritually. So watch out and good luck with that one!!
Op, it’s not over yet. Guess I’m still along for the ride. Yes, be careful. Be sure “I have very little ego” isn’t “very little ego has me”
Peace, alan
No, here are the kind of problems I run into from not having very much ego: I tend to disappear when it comes to my abilities. I can be in a group of people, and be the best qualified for the job, and when it comes time to pick someone, I will get passed over because people forget about me. They remember the guy who makes the most noise. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Girls don’t notice me because they notice the guy who has “game”. In other words he has an act that advertises his strong points.
So without much ego you become the “unsung hero”. In times of real need I have the ability to perform a lot better than people with an ego, but nobody will know it unless there’s an emergency. Guys with a big ego are always busy painting a picture of what they would do, even though in a real emergency they would be scared and under-perform. Everyone else believes the picture they paint because they want to believe it as it make them feel secure. Real emergencies rarely materialize, and even then the big ego guys tend to take credit for what they didn’t do. So it’s not that great having little ego. In myself i know it’s right, but that’s as far as it gets.
There’s a purpose for the ego, and when you don’t have one, you learn that purpose painfully.
Hi Ether
All that sounds just like me. No kidding.
When I look close enough at myself I see that size doesn’t matter when it comes to King Ego. ‘Big’ or ‘little’ he still rules with a mighty thumb.
Peace, alan
Ether, I will say I am some what like you… and I could never identify my ego… but someone at the forum pointed out to me that egos come in many forms… and Jim said…
http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1139&whichpage=2
Soooooo… what would you say to this? The fact that I think I can perform better than most when there is an emergency and the fact that I can work more than any of the others and not be recognized for it… because I never make a big deal about things… is a form of ego to me… is it not for you?
PS: I did not see your post Alan… yes… welcome to the club of little egos… you know… these little ones are harder to isolate… we don’t even see them… so when we are told… recognize your ego… the little ones have a way to hide and we go “what ego?”
May I add here let’s not forget to laugh with ourselves and have sympathy for our little egos? 
Yes you may Alan… laughing with you at our little egos
Although… sympathy I have none… 
Oh, come now Forgiveness is key. It helps to separate. You know, “leggo my ego!” I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself
Hello Ether,
Being uninclined to self-promote doesn’t come even close to qualifying for ego-transcendence in the spiritual sense. If being uninclined to self-promote in real life (as opposed to on the forum) is what you mean by ‘little ego’, then don’t cherish it, because it’s useless on the spiritual path (and useless in life in general) and may even be an impediment for both.
Suggested remedy: learn to self-promote within reason and reality. Have a clear image of yourself and make sure you get what you deserve. Don’t ever, ever, ever, be the ‘Unsung Hero’ again, like those guys with the ‘little egos’ that the Superhero comics are written for.
Seriously, that is the theme of most Superhero comic stories.
Best,
David
My apologies, Ether, if I seemed to be belittling your situation or feelings. I wasn’t intending that. I’m certain Shanti would agree with me that we were not trying to be humorous at your expense
Peace, alan
P.S. I agree with David’s advice
Ether, I agree with Alan… we are not trying to be humorous at your expense… I am sorry if I said anything to hurt you… it was all Alan’s fault you know… 
David, I have always hated Superhero comic stories… I do love happy ending fairy tales though… do they fall in the same category?
Seems to me like you two (Alan and Shanti) were sharing humorously your experiences of ‘Little Ego’, which is something we almost all share to some degree or other.
Hi Ether
I think David is right in what he says and if you can grab hold of it you have the opportunity to take a giant leap forward.
David, this is great, it has given me a new vital source of self enquiry for when I see the new superman movie, and I’m serious about this, I will enjoy it all the more for that - thanks
Louis
Jokes aside… Ether, little ego or big… what you are doing with the kids is great… so don’t let us tell you how to do things… all we can do is talk… you are the only one doing something… I know you don’t need a bravo from me… but thank you for caring for these kids and taking the time and effort to make a difference.
David I find your solution amazing though… Suggested remedy: learn to self-promote within reason and reality. Have a clear image of yourself and make sure you get what you deserve.
So you want us to make the small ego, big… and then try and get over it?