Like the Dude, just abide.

Its whole perception of other egos as real is only an attempt to convince itself that it is real. “Self-esteem” in ego terms means nothing more than that the ego has deluded itself into accepting its reality, and is therefore temporarily less predatory. This “self-esteem” is always vulnerable to stress, a term which refers to any perceived threat to the ego’s existence. T-4.II.6:6-9

A Course in Miracles . Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

A Course In Miracles is so rich that it cannot simply be read and understood. To benefit from its wisdom its passages have to be unpacked a few verses at a time. When one does this, laughter arises as the incongruities and absurdities of previous understandings become conscious. In the above three verses, it is stated that the “ego” only sees itself as real in comparison to other egos. Self esteem is related to thinking that my ego is better than other people’s egos. “Stress” is when the sense of superiority is threatened. The old saying is that “misery loves company.” The ego does not celebrate other egos successes without a twinge of jealousy and the desire to attach our ego to another ego’s success benefiting from the “halo effect.”

A Course In Miracles teaches that in spite of what society has socialized and conditioned us to believe, our ego and other people’s egos are not real. They are an illusion. They are the shadows flickering on Plato’s cave walls. As The Dude says in The Big Lebowski, “Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.” The Dude knows that the life of egos is just bullshit.

Today, avoid the bullshit. Rise above it. Look inward to what is real. As is said in the Big Lebowski, “The Dude abides.” Today, just abide.