The Ego’s Final Stand or Humanity’s Awakening? A Critical Crossroad

March 12th, 2025

By Frank M. Wanderer PhD

Guest writer for Wake Up World

Today, many people sense an increasing tension between a world dominated by the individual ego and the awakening of collective consciousness.

This duality manifests in countless ways within society, raising the question:

Are we truly witnessing the reign of strong egos, or is the awakening of collective consciousness quietly unfolding in the background?

When looking at the current global situation, many feel that strong egos are taking center stage, while the awakening of collective consciousness has slowed down or been pushed into the background.

Wars, economic crises, political polarization, social conflicts, and the dominance of self-interest all create the impression that the ego has reached the height of its power.

But is this really the case?

Or could it be a temporary illusion – one that is actually part of the awakening process?

The Apparent Triumph of the Ego: The Rise of Power and Self-Interest

The current global landscape does appear to show the increasing dominance of the ego.

The most obvious signs include:

• Global conflicts and power struggles – Tensions and wars across the globe reveal how the ego still dominates political and economic systems.
• Fear-mongering and manipulation – Media and social platforms often amplify ego-driven narratives, fueling division and reinforcing the struggle for individual identity.
• The peak of consumer society – The attachment to material possessions and the relentless competition remain core elements of the global economic system.
• The rise of technological control – Advanced AI and digital tools offer new ways for the ego to shape how people think and behave.

All of this creates the illusion that unity and consciousness are retreating while the ego reigns supreme.

The Awakening of Collective Consciousness Has Not Disappeared – It’s Simply Less Visible

While one side of the world is moving in the direction of ego domination, a deeper awakening process is unfolding simultaneously.

The following signs point to this emerging shift:

• More people are seeking truth and self-knowledge – Interest in spirituality and conscious living continues to grow worldwide.
• Old systems are beginning to crack – Although ego still dominates, more people are questioning power structures built on self-interest.
• Alternative communities are forming – The awakening of collective consciousness is happening quietly, away from mainstream attention. It shows up in spiritual communities, sustainability movements, and conscious businesses.
• Old patterns are rising to the surface – Many spiritual teachers suggest that the ego’s intense presence is simply a sign that collective cleansing is underway. Just as on the individual level, the shadow must surface before it dissolves.

This means that even though the ego appears to be raging on the surface, a quieter but powerful awakening process is happening underneath.

An Illusion: The Ego’s Power is Only Temporary

Many spiritual traditions teach that the current chaos in the world is not the ego’s ultimate victory but its last desperate attempt to hold on to power before collective consciousness truly rises.

We are in a transitional period, standing at a crossroads:

• If the ego’s power strengthens, the world will spiral further into division, conflict, and self-destruction.
• If collective consciousness grows stronger, humanity can enter a more peaceful, conscious, and compassionate era.

Both forces are present right now, and it is the choices of individuals that determine which way the scales will tip.

What Can We Do? How Can the Awakening Be Accelerated?

If the ego seems to dominate the world, what can individuals do to support the awakening of collective consciousness?

• Inner work and self-inquiry – The ego does not only exist “out there,” but within us too. As we begin to recognize and transcend it within ourselves, we contribute to the awakening of the collective consciousness.
• Connect with other conscious individuals – Individual awakening is strengthened through supportive communities.
• Refuse to be ruled by fear – One of the greatest obstacles to consciousness is fear. When we step out of fear, we automatically contribute to the collective shift.
• Focus on the present moment – The ego exists only in the illusions of the past and future. Living fully in the present reduces the ego’s grip.
• Start small – You don’t need to “save the world” alone. Simply becoming more conscious in your relationships and daily life already contributes to the collective awakening.

Conclusion: Are We Witnessing a Great Illusion?

Although the current events in the world may suggest that the ego’s power is stronger than ever, it’s essential to recognize that this might only be the surface.

The ego is fighting for survival – and in doing so, it’s revealing itself more than ever. But beneath that surface, the awakening of collective consciousness is quietly unfolding.

The real question is not whether the ego or collective consciousness will win, but rather:

Where do we place our attention and energy?

If enough people consciously choose love, compassion, and awakening, the apparent dominance of the ego will gradually dissolve.

True change always begins within – and as more individuals awaken to this, the collective awakening will not only be possible, but inevitable.

Excerpt from Frank M. Wanderer’s new book The Signs Of Spiritual Awakening: The Challenges and Gifts of Awakening.

About the author:

Frank M. Wanderer Ph.D is a professor of psychology, a consciousness researcher and writer, and publisher of several books on consciousness . With a lifelong interest in the mystery of human existence and the work of the human mind, Frank’s work is to help others wake up from identification with our personal history and the illusory world of the forms and shapes, and to find our identity in what he calls “the Miracle”, the mystery of the Consciousness.

You can follow Frank online at:

• Website – fmwanderer.wordpress.com
• Facebook.com/AwakeningOfTheConsciousness
• https://x.com/FrankMWanderer
• Facebook.com/Frank-M-Wanderer

Frank is also the author of the following books:

• The Revolution of Consciousness: Deconditioning the Programmed Mind
• The Flames of Alertness: Discover the Power of Consciousness!
• The Biggest Obstacle to Enlightenment: How to Escape from the Prison of Mind Games?
• … and several other books on consciousness and the process of enlightenment.