h.g.,
Superb post!
>>"The Ego is comprised of the thoughts of one's mind. These thoughts, just an organization of words, gain power through the energy of emotions behind the words.<<
I guess we can derive a formula from your statement:
Ego = thought; Thought ==> Energy ==> Emotion.
>>"To ignore or control these aspects, one runs the certain risk (just a matter of time, for the energy is still there) of re-stimulating the energy behind the thoughts, and therefore empowering the Ego. Also, to say "I can ignore, control or suppress my emotions, thoughts, or Ego" one is merely fooling themselves for this in itself is the Ego in disguise."<<
I concur. We can never rid ourselves of our ego. It is an integral part of our psyche/soul. However, IMO, ego if left alone with no effort on our part to provide guidance (such as meditation, eastern or western paths as you suggested) can weave havoc in our trading. You are so correct to say that any effort in controlling our ego is by itself an ego in disguise. This bring up another viewpoint- is there such a thing as a disciplined and an undisciplined ego? I believe there is. We already develop the disciplined ego when we have conscience for our action. Our conscience guide our good behavior in our society. But this part of the ego is inadequate for trading.
Giving this trading perspective, I will say that the disciplined ego is the one with a positive thought process. It is the thought process where self-criticism is kept to a minimum if not completely eliminated. It is the thought process where bad energy such as negative emotions are dissipated with daily meditation or other techniques of eastern or western paths.
So, what is the undisciplined ego for trading? You guess it, it is simply the absence of the disciplined ego that allow our regular ego to dominate. Unfortunately, our regular ego is in no condition to withstand the demand and stress of trading. Without a disciplinary way of controlling our thought (from the training of the disciplined ego), our regular ego will allow our thought and emotion to run rampaged and dominate our decision-making process.
>>"By dissipating the energy of emotions, removing the power of the thoughts and weakening the Ego, one positions themselves in the present time, for these "thoughts" are either of future consequences or past actions."<<
I have no problem agreeing with you on this one. But to achieve this optimal "here and now" required the cooperation of a disciplined ego. Let's go back to the formula derived earlier:
ego = thought
In order for us to begin the process of dissipating the energy of emotions and removing the power of thoughts and weakening the ego, you have to begin the "thought process" of instigating those changes. This "thought process" is already your "ego" in action. However, I wouldn't go as far as removing the power of thoughts and weakening the ego. I would say that a part of your "ego" understands the need of a disciplinary method to maintain the perspective of "here and now". Again, a disciplined ego is an uphill effort and cannot be taken lightly. It must be done with our 110% commitment.
>>"In trading, the market reflects one's emotions => thoughts => Ego when this energy still exists. This market reflection triggers the emotions of the thoughts and puts one into either the future or past, whereby one trades as such. However, if one is in the present time, the system of trading learned then becomes the vehicle for the intuition."<<
I couldn't write it better. I'm constantly amazed at the ability of the contributors here who could write so succinctly. I tend to use too many words to express a simple thought... but then, it is just my style.. lol!
Back to your point. Everyday when the market opens, there is more than one battle going on. Besides the buyers and sellers, there is the battle of our "disciplined ego" and our day-to-day ego. There were times when I traded very well with my disciplined ego and there were times when I lost my own internal battle and allowed my regular ego to dominate me. When this happened, I simply walked away from my trading desk and called it a day.
>>"Ego is all about survival and prevailing. That is why we do react with fight or flight."<<
Despite our ego basic need to survive and prevail, the Darwin theory (from the perspective of trading) only allowed those who could control their thought and emotion to survive and prevail. Afterall, without proper training from their early days, how could our ancestors remained calm and steady while facing a dangerous creature fighting for its own survival? How many untrained hunters were so paralyzed by fear that even "fight and flight" was not available as an option?
>>"Truth be know, the Ego (hunter) is used to hunt itself, the Ego."<<
The disciplined ego hunting for the untamed one?
In light of our discussion, I will add a qualification to the circular loop:
If you can control your thought, you can control your emotion. If you can control your emotion, you can control your thought. But only if you have developed the discipline to control your thought to begin with.
h.g., it was a pleasure reading your post. It stimulated my thought process (ego? <g>) even more... looking forward to more of your contribution.
Cheers! |
