When self-consciousness becomes inflated, or becomes infected, becomes inflamed – that’s what we feel like when we are controlled by the ego – then that is egotism. That is when the ego balloons, expands, so that it fills the whole available space of our consciousness at least for a time. Then he says, ‘I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that original sin is self-consciousness. Because self-consciousness gives rise to the divided consciousness.’ So sin is the result of a divided consciousness. Divided because we’re looking at ourselves and seeing ourselves as separated within ourselves, but also separated from others. And that creates egotistical consciousness, egotistical behaviour – sin.
( The Brick Wall of the Ego 1 by Laurence Freeman OSB )
