When nearly 50 musical superstars arrived at the studio to record the charity song “We Are the World,” legendary music producer Quincy Jones had a sign greeting them: “Leave your ego at the door.”
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, offers a divinely inspired view of ego. In her writings, she uses the term “Ego” with a capital “E” to refer to God, describing God as “the great I AM” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 587).
She explains, “The Ego is absent from the body, and present with Truth and Love” (Science and Health, p. 14). From this perspective, thoughts such as “I am afraid” or “I am hurt” don’t originate from the all-knowing, all-loving I AM. Instead, they stem from a mistaken sense of self – a personal ego – fixated on material concerns.
Letting go of ego-driven thoughts and tuning in to those that come directly from God isn’t always easy. But it changes our view, allowing us to see ourselves as God does: spiritual and whole. It’s like leaving the dim basement of material thinking and stepping onto the sunlit rooftop of spiritual understanding. This higher perspective heals and is available to all of us.
Last year I had an experience that illustrates this. It was early morning on the first day of the semester at the college where I teach. My subject is ESL (English as a Second Language) and the classes are four-hour intensives. In a rush to get my bag into the back seat of my car, I accidentally slammed the car door on my finger. My finger was bent out of shape, bleeding heavily, and throbbing with pain. I was stunned.
In that moment, fearful thoughts rushed in: “Why now?” and “Will this need stitches?” But I quickly caught myself and began reasoning spiritually. I thought, “This can’t be from God because it’s not harmonious or good. If it’s not from God, then it’s illusory. It’s a lie.” Despite the pain, I stayed focused on the idea that God, ever-present good, knows nothing about accidents.
One insight that came to me was how I’d been holding on to bent-out-of-shape feelings and a bruised ego from hurtful comments a colleague had made. I now affirmed, “God is omnipresent, so there is no presence but divine Love.”
I went inside to wash my finger at the kitchen sink, bandaging it as best I could. With my free hand, I left a voicemail for a Christian Science practitioner, seeking prayerful support. Deep down I knew my place that day was with my students. This wasn’t about willpower. It was about holding to the truth that nothing could take my joy away. On the drive to the college, I sang a hymn from the “Christian Science Hymnal” which includes the words “Joy cometh in the morning” (M. M. Wienland, No. 425). I arrived just in time to welcome my students.
Though still in pain, I managed to get through the start of class using my left hand. Shortly after, I received an uplifting text from the practitioner and began praying with these ideas: There is no interruption of God’s good during my day. God is in control and causes only good things to happen. I am on God’s schedule, and God keeps everything under control, including my finger.
My thoughts moved from the physical situation to the spiritual reality of being embraced in God’s love. Fear melted away as I turned to “Ego” – the Truth and Love that governs all of us. Instantly, the pain vanished, completely and permanently.
When I got home, I removed the bandage and saw that my finger was back to its normal shape, with no discoloration. Gratitude washed over me. Months later, the nail unexpectedly lifted off, revealing a perfect new one underneath.
But the real beauty of this healing was that the hurt I’d been carrying about my colleague’s comments disappeared. It was replaced by an overwhelming sense of love, peace, and dominion. I realized that divine Love, not the words and actions of others, is what truly governs my life.
This experience taught me the importance of humility – yielding to God, the true I AM. It’s a daily practice, but one that brings incredible rewards. As Isaiah 41:10 reminds us: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (New Living Translation).
Adapted from an article published in the February 2026 issue of The Christian Science Journal.
