The ego is a function of the brain which is an organ in the body. The brain/body organism fears death, the ego therefore fears its dissolution.
Western religions have given us faith, the absence of critical thinking. And so much of Eastern Thought has told us to demonize and smash the ego, something that only makes matters worse.
Getting rid of the ego is about as natural as cutting off your left hand. It is entirely unnecessary and has created a culture in the world of so-called "Spirituality" where people neurotically chase their tail, going around in circles hoping to crush the ego and become enlightened. And somehow this is considered to be more holy than just fixing oneself a stiff drink, which does about the same thing.
To even begin to inquire one must be willing to admit that the activity of the brain is the product of indoctrination, of conditioning. The conditioned mind seeks a new and improved form of conditioning. The ego can't wait to be "enlightened" and thus not only be at last free of all suffering, but highly accomplished and important.
So is there a quality of consciousness that is transcendent - that exists beyond the boundaries of thought, of brain activity, even outside the boundaries of space/time?
My experience has been that from a meditative state, which by the way does not necessarily require a meditation technique or even meditation in the conventional sense of the word, one can begin to inquire.
Conclusions are the product of conditioning. Inquiry is the gateway to real knowing, the absence of belief and the awakening of direct perception.
Peace,
Eric Allen Bell
http://www.EricAllenBell.org