In this first episode, Russell, Daizan and Mark explore the concept of the ego, its development, and what lies beyond it. The discussion delves into the interplay between science, mindfulness, and Zen teachings, and they draw analogies and parallels from psychosis, quantum mechanics, and child development to illustrate their points. The conversation continued with discussions on societal implications, comparing cultural ego to individual ego development, and suggest that societal crises might be a catalyst for evolution or demise. The conversation concludes with reflections on the uncertainty of life (which leads nicely into episode 2 of this podcast "embracing the unknown". 01:05 Exploring the Concept of Ego 05:17 Childhood Development and Sense of Self 08:55 Quantum Physics and Perception of Reality 18:48 Mental Health and the Self 46:19 Societal Ego and Future Perspectives #daizanroshi #russellrazzaque #consciousness #spirituality #ego