The ego represents the conscious part of our "selves", the self-image that largely governs how we conduct our lives. In Freudian psychology it is the moderator between social programming (super-ego) and our natural instincts and urges (ID). In Jungian psychology, the ego is the conscious part of the "self". Our actions become patterned by this self-image, as we start to view ourselves as "I do this because it is who I am".

For instance, a man may put off divorcing his cheating wife because he views doing so as not being congruent with his ego, or super-ego values. Another man may refuse to utilize game in the sexual market place, because he views doing so as being manipulative, and according to his brand of morality, manipulation is wrong.

Joseph Campbell outlines this in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" that the hero faces a death (real or symbolic), which results in a change that enables him to go beyond the limitations of his previous life. The protagonist controlled by the internal messages that influence and shape his psyche, is prevented from breaking down the walls that limit his imagination and cannot transform into the hero until what makes him non-heroic is removed.

Thus, the ego he has constructed must die in order for a new self to arise from the ashes of the old one. A new ego, better than the old ego, and more capable of asserting the desire of the man under the constant onslaught from his community and his baser nature. Our egos are formed through our interactions with the world while we are at our most vulnerable, when we are young children relying on others to defend, provide for and take care of us. Thus, they still carry the scars and old wounds that never healed from that period, which are no longer threats. They still carry the internal messages sent to our super-ego, and the consequences of letting our ID reign free over our lives.

The problem is that most of these messages came to be as a result of us pushing the limits and facing negative consequences. Taking a fall while attempting to climb a tree, having to go the hospital to get your leg put in a cast, seeing your parent's terrified faces, the concerned looks from the doctor, and having to watch your friends playing outside all summer while you languished in your room. Such an experience may influence a person never to push a physical limit again, because the perceived consequences of that appeared to them to be life-destroying at the time. Likewise, taking a social risk such as performing in front of an audience, failing and then facing social ridicule for months may cause a similar reaction when it comes to taking social risk.

Read the full essay here:http://blacklabellogic.com/2017/08/10/red-pill-logic-ego-death/