Ego reduction

The concept of ego reduction is predicated on the use of Sigmund Freud's concept of the ego to describe the conscious adult self; and broadly describes the deflating of an over-inflated or egotistical sense of oneself^[1] - a curtailment of what Iris Murdoch called “the anxious avaricious tentacles of the self”.^[2]

Among other contexts, ego reduction has been seen as a goal in Alcoholics Anonymous; as a part of BDSM play,^[3] providing a means of entering "subspace"; and as a way of attaining religious humility and freedom from desire in Buddhism.^[4]

Harry Tiebout saw the surrender of the alcoholic in AA as dependent upon ego reduction, in the twin sense of a relinquishment of personal narcissism, and the development of a new trust in other people.^[5]

Tiebout stressed that this was a process that should be applied only to the (over-extended) infantile ego sense — the surviving remnants of an original megalomania that had not been worn away by the normal processes of life.^[6]

While most therapy favours a process of strengthening the ego functions, at the expense of the irrational parts of the mind,^[7] a reduction in self-importance and self-involvement — ego reduction — is also generally valorised: Robin Skynner for example describing the 'shrink' as a head-shrinker, and adding that “as our swollen heads get smaller... as people we grow”.^[8]

Rational emotive behaviour therapy also favours such ego reduction as a part of extending self-control and confirming personal boundaries.^[9]

Ego reduction is traditionally seen as the goal of the Buddha's teaching.^[10]

However, the goal of egolessness (as Buddhist therapists warn) is not to be confused with a mere loss or paralysis of ego functions: it is rather their incorporation and transcendence.^[11]