What's The Link Between TV's Law & Order And Meditation?

"I gave up acting so I could be real. Actors can be very pretentious, and I was definitely becoming that way and wanted to be more authentic as a human being," said our friend and actor Linus Roache, in an interview we did for our new book: BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World. He is currently starring as Mike Cutter, the prosecuting attorney in TV's Law and Order. "Acting is a profession full of the dangers of ego and narcissism and so being an Actor appeared contrary to the path of meditation and freedom that I was yearning for. So I stopped acting for two years to study Evolutionary Enlightenment with Spiritual Teacher Andrew Cohen"

What is this ego that keeps us so stuck in self-centeredness, thinking we are the most important person around? The ego gives us a strong sense of ourselves; it is the "me" part. This is neither good nor bad, except when such self-centeredness dominates our thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of life. A positive sense of self gives us confidence and purpose, but a selfish aspect of the ego makes us unconcerned with other people's feelings; it thrives on the idea of me-first and impels us to cry out, "Look at me!"

As Robert Thurman, who wrote the Foreword to our book, says: "I think I am the most important being in the world, but nobody else thinks it is about me, time doesn't think it is about me, space doesn't think it is about me, the planet doesn't think it is about me. It doesn't take much to get the message that it is actually not about me! But if somebody comes and steps on my toe or wants to take away my strawberries, then suddenly it is all about me again!"

By seeing how we equate ourselves with images of who we think we are, or with labels that reinforce that image and make us appear special--"I am an American, Russian, Christian, Muslim; I am an actor, teacher, doctor"--so the many manifestations of the ego appear before us. In the search for meaning, we hide behind our title, profession, or religion and become attached to the story the label creates, even introducing ourselves in terms of labels, or only relating to others who identify themselves in the same way.

The ego also makes us believe that we are the dust on the mirror, that we could never be so beautiful as the radiant reflection beneath the surface. Yet how extraordinary to believe that we cannot be free when freedom is our true nature! When we begin to see that such self-centeredness does not lead to happiness and we yearn for something more genuine, when we realize that the pit of meaninglessness and emptiness inside is never truly satiated no matter how much we feed it, or when we have just had enough of chaos and suffering, then the longing for change arises.

Linus, although an actor, is exceptional at bringing together the two worlds of ego and spirituality. "I realized that it is not just actors who are full of ego, everybody is! Everybody has their layers of pretenses and images of who they think they are. I finally saw that acting was not the problem; rather, it was my relationship to it that mattered. I could actually be a real, authentic person who also happened to act. The difference was the awareness of seeing that I am playing an ego, rather than being stuck in an ego. There is no separate spiritual life and working life and personal life. There is only one life. Without access to the inner dimension of freedom, I cannot be either an actor or a fully authentic person."

How has your ego dominated your actions? Do you have any stories to share below? You can receive notice of our blogs every Thursday by checking Become a Fan at the top. And you can pre order BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World

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Ed and Deb Shapiro's new book, BE THE CHANGE, How Meditation Can Transform You And The World, forewords by the Dalai Lama and Robert Thurman, with contributors such as Marianne Williamson, astronaut Edgar Mitchell, Byron Katie, Michael Beckwith, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jane Fonda, Jack Kornfield, Gangaji, Ellen Burstyn, Ed Begley, Dean Ornish, Russell Bishop, and others, will be published November 3rd 2009 by Sterling Ethos.

Deb is the author of the award-winning book YOUR BODY SPEAKS YOUR MIND. Ed and Deb are the authors of over 15 books, and lead meditation retreats and workshops. They are corporate consultants, and the creators of Chillout daily inspirational text messages on Sprint cell phones. See: www.EdandDebShapiro.com

Follow Ed and Deb Shapiro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/edanddebshapiro

Comments

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

I just got to my computer for the first time in one week. You'll see why on my blog in the Living Section this Wednesday. Come by for a visit, Ed and Deb. You'll note just why your article this week is perfect for me. Blessings and love to you each,

Cara

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Cara.. great to see you here ... Now you got me wondering

I will have to practice patience ... smile and have fun also ...

Breathing and Meditation so I don't think about what you say here (ha!) But sure are curious ..

Enjoy your day,

Ed

[vorpalmusic]

I've been thinking about this topic for a few days. Perhaps in some cases a small bit of ego can be good (at first).

For example, the sincere desire to be a "good person", even if it's out of a desire to be admired or respected, is often what can motivate a person to consider leading a more spiritual life. Also, many of the most selfless things that people have done for others have been motivated by the good feeling that comes from being appreciated.

This is not in any way to contradict the general message of the article...just an interesting thought that has been recurring for days. I have been working very hard for the last few weeks for the benefit of my extended family, for no pay. And obviously it makes me feel really good about myself. So during these few weeks from moment to moment I'm noticing little egotistical feelings about how hard I'm working etc., and then feeling silly and vain when I notice myeslf thinking anything like that. Trying to suppress these feelings is not the right strategy, either.

I suppose as time passes it will be less and less natural to have self-congratulatory feelings because the current focus of my practice has been primarily about service to others, and I have really been diving into it. But anyone have any comments or suggestions on how to deal with it in the present?

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Vorpalmusic - Thanks for your heartwarming comment

Firstly It is very important to be yourself ... not to deny who and what you are.

A disciple was with his teacher who was like a Buddha. The teachers son died and the master cried. The student said, "why are you crying you are a Buddha?" the master said because my son died.

There is nothing wrong with feeling good when you do something... you can even feel great. It is not ego. when you serve others it is godlike .. when you serve yourself it can be ego. Attitude is most important. A good heart is a good attitude.

Be with what is just don't take yourself too seriously!

Ed

[CaveatMagnusFrater]

Vorpalmusic,

Feeling silly and vain when you catch yourself being proud of doing soemthing good strikes me as about as cool and humble as one can be. You might concider letting your doubts about your ego fly away like angry birds.

Peace Bro,

[LordMoon]

I enjoyed that....

...someone once said the greater the ego the greater the pain...

pain makes it hard to be real, it takes a lot of courage to even try..

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi LordMoon - happy to see you here... thanks for your comment

what is most interesting is that often people don't know they are in pain as it becomes too familiar

One you have just one taste of the sweetness within ... nothing in this world compares

the ego disguises itself and makes you feel that the superficial things in life are where it's at

Enjoy the journey,

Ed

[yoyo22]

Hi Ed and Deb Thank you for another lesson in life we are never to old to learn> I shall have to throw away my ego and like myself more for me,or is that also to much ego.
Love you both Sis

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi sister yoyo22 Glad to see you here...

rather than home doin da dishes or watchin Linus on LAW and ORDER

actually it's a great beginning. It's easier to relate to the ego-mind when we have a positive sense of ourselves than when we have a negative view.

we are more spacious and we have a chance to see how the ego-self is redundant.

Joyfully,

Ed

[Lizzypie]

We wear our ego's like a mantle that accompanies us through life. If ones grows wiser as one ages, ones ego becomes like an "old shoe" - so I have heard - so familiar, such a good fit, so comfortable & well worn that it is hardly noticeable. As I have always loved shoes, I am hoping to manifest "old shoe" wisdom in my twilight years - which are rapidly approaching.
Thanks Deb & Ed.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi sweet Lizzypie It's always a treat to see you here!

Yup you are a wise lady this is sooo cool so I am repeating it:

"We wear our ego's like a mantle that accompanies us through life. If ones grows wiser as one ages, ones ego becomes like an "old shoe" - so I have heard - so familiar, such a good fit, so comfortable & well worn that it is hardly noticeable. As I have always loved shoes, I am hoping to manifest "old shoe" wisdom in my twilight years - which are rapidly approaching."

Big Love,

Ed

[Thisok]

We use our ego to get us through life even though it is also what causes all of our problems on this journey. Hopefully a bit of wisdom can be learned to give us less need to rely on the ego and actually enjoy the trip. Seems this happens in later years as we have the expression - "A wise old soul." ... later in life or later in lives?
Love & Hugs

[Shrinath]

Oh boy. This is a biggie. A subject that can take a lifetime to realize. Or several. Specifically, ego comes from "I" and its various iterations. It is such a profound topic. The day I can get rid of the ego, it would indeed be a great day. Yes, I do wish that to happen someday. That is a dichotomy.

We hold too many materialistic things in far greater regard than ourselves. In a way, that is a contributing factor to the ever expanding ego. My house, my car, my dog, etc. etc. The list goes on. So, just if, we gave up our attachment to such inanimate objects. Life has become too objective. My motto is to have an "attached detachment". And that is hard to keep.

I guess, that bard, hit on something when he said - "All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts"

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Brilliant comment Shrinath- Thanks for sharing

I love what Swami Satchidananda says: E-GO

The ego game is truly tricky as we are dealing with something that is not real and yet it's nature is to appear very real... quite a dichotomy (as you say).. the problem is that many people believe they are this trickster .. this false sense f self called ego.

Yes this is a subject we can observe and Meditate on at length .. so for now

Let us be happy don't worry,

Joyfully,

Ed

[vorpalmusic]

It's funny how subtle the ego can be. Sometimes we tell ourselves we are working tirelessly for the benefit of others only to find out later that we certainly were not. The more mindfulness increases, the more the ego increases its stealth tactics. Sometimes the fear that we are not being true enough is in itself a dark manifestation of ego.

Definitely avoiding identifying ourselves in any way is a great boon, as you suggest in this article.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

vorpalmusic great and wise comment.. the ego sure is the trickster ...and your statement:

"The more mindfulness increases, the more the ego increases its stealth tactics." is vital to be aware of

* Definitely avoiding identifying ourselves in any way is a great boon,..

NO ME NO MY *

Ed

[vorpalmusic]

Ok, Ok, I'm buying the book already! : )

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

vorpalmusic I never think of it as our book as there are many voices... much wisdom .. and wonderful hearts

...saying that Meditation is a gift from the heart.. for anyone who would like to see things as they are

May all people be happy,

Ed

[vorpalmusic]

That was intended as light-hearted ribbing, although things don't always come across clearly on the nets...

And I really am buying it.

[curiousasheck]

"King Ego" is a formidable foe. That you can count on. If you really want action and excitement start challenging it. It's inevitable anyway so you may as well start now.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey Curiousasheck - when are you going to know it all and stop being so curious .. oh then you would be called * a know it all * ... can't win in this life can ya

you are fun .. wise and .. well you fill it in BTW.. what ego .. where is it hiding???

Enjoy the mystery,

Ed

[Kalena]

Sometimes I think of my selves as doing practice...today I'm doing meditation practice or student practice, walking practice or grandmother practice. Today - feeding the hungry practice or paying bills practice...cooking and gardening practice. Then my actions are rolls I'm practicing (with
mindfulness), not 'me'.
Aloha, kj (name practice:-)

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Kalena- wonderful to hear from you

LOVE your comment it's a * Karma Yoga * as the Yogis would say service is the greatest Blessing

we at the HuffPost have honored service in many of our blogs.

Joyfully,

Ed

[vorpalmusic]

This is an excellent idea.

[joshsfba]

Doing regular meditation helps increases the ability to have compasion and empathy. Compassion brings the people in the world togather and help break th barrier of ego. Free guided meditation can be tried at:

http://clicktomeditate.com

This site is trying to put the meditations from different forms all at one place. Also it ha news and articles on meditation and it's health benefits.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey Joshsfba - thanks for your comment .. it is very true what you say:

"Doing regular meditation helps increases the ability to have compassion and empathy. Compassion brings the people in the world together and help break the barrier of ego."

Thanks for the link

Treasure yourself,

Ed

[primercord]

I don't watch law and order, but I love reading my friend's posts. Going to Nederland for old timer's day, may call you on the way through, have fun kidz......

Swami Mike

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey swami Mike - Good to hear from you

It's worth seeing Linus portray prosecuting attorney Mike Cutter on Law and Order and know he is a brilliant Spiritual teacher.

Acting is a rare talent and being a Spiritual teacher requires selflessness a very rare combo

Joyfully,

Ed

[Janice Taylor - Huffpost Blogger]

“An actor is totally vulnerable. His total personality is exposed to critical judgment - his intellect, his bearing, his diction, his whole appearance. In short, his ego.” ~ Alec Guinness

Yours in and out of balance.
Janny

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

sweet Janny-pie .. Love to see that shining smile and the wisdom that goes with it!

Linus is brilliant.. a kind man.. great actor and Spiritual teacher ..

He is a true Brit and has mastered the NYC accent in order to play a compelling role in a popular series.

It's great to have friends like YOU and LINUS!

Big Love,

Ed

[sonoffestus]

" You are who you pretend to be."........ Kurt Vonnegut

This thought is never far from my consciousness. It makes me smile and wonder who am I, who are they? Who are we?

We can be who we want to be........­..........­.SOF.

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

sonoffestus

I am Mr. No One

our identity is very helpful in our world but in truth as we are not our identity and whne we realize this you can have so much fun

most people think they are a somebody .. that is the root of suffering

LOL,

Ed

[RadicalRepublican]

Dude,

I know you like to quote the Beatles, (who doesn't?) and your comment to Festus's kid made me think of one of my favorites from Yellow Submarine. "He's a real NoWhere man, liveing in his NoWhere land, making all his NoWhere plans for Nobody."

I meditate, therefore I am
AreAre

[RadicalRepublican]

Hi Ed and Deb,

TGITh. I look forward to your blog every Thursday, I know I'll read something useful and interesting. Where does that self-criticism come from? Why can I see someone being wonderful and acknowledge them yet see dust in my mirrored reflection when I act similarly? I don't know if I'll ever have an answer but that's not what matters. As long as I practice and improve on behaviors that I value, I will also practice seeing myself without the tarnihed surface and to quote the Jr. Senator from Minnesota, "I'm smart enough, I'm good enough and by golly, people likeme"

I meditate, therefore I am,
AreAre

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi RR .. I look forward to your gret comment esch week as well as I mark you as a* favorite * and am a fan

I think your sense of humor is a key

From my experience the ego is tricky and mischievious ... anytime it has s chance it will trip us up any time there is self doubt boom attack... best way to deal with our ego-minds is to see it as a naughty child ...

the mind is perfect servant but a terrible master!

Joyfully,

Ed