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We live in a world that tells us to find ourselves, heal ourselves, and be ourselves. Psychology offers us tools for this journey, helping us soothe the cracks and bruises of the ego. It teaches us how to function better in relationships, careers, and life. Psychology soothes the ego, buddhism lets It go, we need both for a balanced life.
However, Buddhism doesn’t stop at healing. It takes the ego—the very thing we’ve worked so hard to patch up—and whispers, Let it go.
The Ego’s Comfort Zone
Psychology works with the ego, not against it. Through therapy and self-reflection, we learn to hold the ego gently, to understand its fears and soothe its pains. A well-cared-for ego allows us to find stability, communicate better, and live with greater ease.
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Think of the ego as a home. Sometimes it’s cozy, other times it’s a little chaotic, but it’s ours. Psychology helps us clean up the clutter and reinforce the walls. It makes life livable, and that’s no small feat.
Buddhism’s Call to Let Go
Buddhism invites us to see that the ego—the “I” we cling to so tightly—is like an illusion. It’s a clever construction, held together by habits, fears, and desires. And while it feels real, it keeps us trapped in cycles of attachment and suffering.
However, this realization comes with a danger: misunderstanding emptiness as nothingness. This is the trap of nihilism—the belief that if the self is an illusion, then nothing matters, and life has no meaning. Nihilism can lead to apathy, despair, or even cynicism, none of which reflect the teachings of the Buddha.
Buddhism teaches emptiness, but not as a void of meaning or purpose. Instead, emptiness reveals the interconnectedness of all things. It is not a denial of existence but an invitation to experience life beyond clinging and separation. The ego may dissolve, but what emerges is a vast, luminous awareness filled with compassion and wisdom. In this interconnected web of life, we see that we are not isolated beings but deeply interdependent. We depend on each other and need each other now more than ever, especially in a world that often feels divided. Recognizing this, we can move forward with a heart rooted in kindness and a commitment to collective well-being.
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True liberation comes not from abandoning meaning but from letting go of false attachments and discovering the profound fullness that lies beyond. This is why the path requires both clarity and guidance—so that we can dismantle illusions without falling into despair. That’s why I’ve made myself available in the world again, after all those years in monasteries, and have created the Triyana Meditation System. It serves as a bridge into our Western day and age, rooted in traditional Eastern meditation techniques that have been time-tested for their transformative power. Through this system, I’m making these profound practices accessible, relevant, and supportive for you to take part of.
Why Both Paths Matter
Psychology and Buddhism may seem like opposites, but they’re not enemies. In fact, they complement each other beautifully. For many of us, psychological care is the foundation we need before we can begin the Buddhist path. A soothed ego creates the stability to ask the deeper, harder questions—and the resilience to not succumb under their weight.
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Psychology gives us tools to navigate the world; Buddhism shows us how to transcend it. One path comforts the self, the other dissolves it. Both are acts of profound compassion, but they lead to very different outcomes.
Choosing Both
We don’t have to choose between soothing and letting go. In fact, it’s wise not to. A stable ego allows us to face the hard truths of impermanence and emptiness without falling into despair. Likewise, the wisdom of Buddhist practice can enrich our psychological work, giving us a larger context for our struggles.
To watch and listen to a teacher conversation on this topic between my self and the Health and Yoga Coach Rebecka Latoś go here.
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These paths are not interchangeable, but they are complementary. Together, they form a holistic map of the human experience—one that embraces the messiness of being and the vastness of liberation.
So, care for your ego. Soothe it when it hurts. And when the time comes, be ready to let it go. Both are part of the journey, and both are acts of love.
With compassion,
Lama Chimey
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Lama Chimey 