Ego blocks awareness by creating a false sense of separation between “me” and the world around me. When the mind is busy defending an identity—filled with judgments, fears, and comparisons—it narrows perception and prevents us from seeing life as it truly is. In other words, ego filters reality through personal stories, while awareness observes without bias or attachment.
Think of it like this: awareness is like a clear window, while ego is the fog that covers it. The more we identify with thoughts such as “I’m right,” “I’m better,” or “I’m not enough,” the thicker the fog becomes. We stop noticing the simple beauty of what’s happening right now because the ego’s noise takes over.
For example, if someone criticizes you, awareness would simply notice the words and how they feel in your body. But ego jumps in to defend—“They’re wrong!” or “I’m not good enough!”—and awareness gets clouded by reaction.
In simple terms, ego keeps attention trapped in the story of “me,” while awareness is the open space that sees everything without taking sides.
Example:
When you pause before reacting in an argument, take a breath, and simply notice your feelings instead of defending them—that’s awareness shining through the ego. Each small moment like this weakens the ego’s grip and allows genuine clarity and peace to return.