Ego: The Silent Saboteur of Healers, Messengers, Teachers, and Protectors
Let’s be honest—no matter how much we grow spiritually, ego sneaks in when we least expect it. And for those of us who have dedicated our lives to healing, guiding, and protecting others, ego can be our biggest hidden obstacle.
Ego was one of my biggest challenges—but probably not in the way you’d expect; I guarantee that!
Most people assume I’ve always “had it together” because I present myself professionally, speak with confidence, and carry myself with certainty. If you've seen me on stage or worked with me in mindset and relationship coaching, you’d likely describe me as confident and competent. And in that world, I was.
But when it came to my spiritual gifts, it was a different story. Even though spirituality was with me since childhood, it took me years to fully step into my power, never mind sharing For the longest time, I didn’t feel confident—let alone competent—in embracing my divine role. . . When I first started helping people with deep, energetic healing, I was so focused on “doing it right” that I forgot the most important part: It’s not about me at all.
Let it sink in: it’s not about me at all.
I remember a session where I was energetically clearing something major for someone. The energy was powerful, and I could feel a breakthrough coming. But then, a small thought crept in: “Will this really work?". And just like that, the energy stopped flowing. The moment my ego took ownership, the divine energy pulled back. I learned an important lesson that day - the more I surrender, the more powerful the work becomes.
This is why we need to talk about ego and its impact on healers, messengers, teachers, and protectors.
And if you are not sure who you are, don't worry, I've got you! Just do this quiz here: https://www.olgageidane.com/single-post/discover-your-spiritual-archetype-messenger-healer-protector-or-teacher
Here are just a few ways ego manifests when left unchecked:
Makes you doubt yourself or seek validation
Causes you to compare your gifts with others
Leads you to attach to titles, roles, or recognition
Turns spiritual service into a personal achievement rather than a divine flow.
Can you relate to any of the above? I certainly can, especially validation, doubt and comparison - those were the nastiest!
So what exactly is the ego?
The ego is not just arrogance or self-importance—it’s the mental construct of who we think we are. It’s the voice that says, “I am a healer,” “I am a protector,” or “I need to be recognised for my wisdom.”
It comes from our upbringing, past experiences, and even survival instincts. But when it runs unchecked, ego separates us from the divine flow.
It tells us:
“You must prove your worth.”
“You need to control this.”
“People should acknowledge your work.”
And this is where spiritual workers fall into ego traps without even realizing it.
Either your ego is in control, or your gifts are fully activated—there’s no in-between. As long as ego runs your life, it will keep dimming your gifts because, deep down, it doesn’t want you to shine.
How Ego Sabotages Healers, Messengers, Teachers, and Protectors
Messengers (The Divine Communicators)
Ego whispers: “What if I get the message wrong?”, "People need to listen to ME", "What if I am wrong? ", or "You’re not special—why should people trust you?"
When ego takes over, messengers start over-explaining, doubting their downloads, or seeking external validation.
I will never forget the day when one of my ancestors (I come from a lineage of spiritual workers) shared a message with me that I confirmed later on with energies, too. I received a very strong download that I am meant to teach and liberate other healers, not just do one-on-one healing. This realisation didn’t come through logical thinking (I would not have the guts to think that!) but as a deep knowing (Claircognizance)* that completely shifted my direction.
My ego whispered, "Who am I to teach others? What if I don’t know enough? What if people don’t listen?"—but despite this, I trusted the message and started creating retreats, training, and content to empower others, as well as sharing more of my healing work with my clients.
What can you do?
Trust the message without needing approval.
Remember: You are just the vessel, not the source.
You are just the vessel, not the source.
Healers (The Energy Transmuters)
The ego says: “They need ME to heal”, "Your gifts aren’t real", "You can help others but not yourself", or "What if you harm someone?"
When ego is in charge, healers feel responsible for their clients’ healing, overextend themselves, or fear failure.
So, what to do instead?
Detach from the outcome—healing is divine work.
Set boundaries—draining yourself serves no one.
I once felt like I had to “fix” every client. If they didn’t experience a breakthrough, I thought I had done something wrong. It took me time to realise I am just the bridge—what happens on the other side is not mine to control.
Detach from the outcome—healing is divine work.
Protectors (The Guardians of Energy & Justice)
Ego will make you think: “I see the truth, and others don’t", "You must always be strong", or "You can’t show weakness", or "It's my way or no way!".
When ego takes over, protectors become defensive, aggressive, or attached to fighting battles.
What to do instead:
Protect with wisdom, not force.
Allow others to awaken in their own time. This one was really hard to accept for me. Somehow, I wanted everyone to catch up with me: not only my clients, but also my friends and my loved ones!
Allow others to awaken in their own time.
Teachers (The Wisdom Keepers)
Ego will challenge the Teacher in so many ways: “I have to be the expert", "I know more (or better)", "You need to have all the answers", "You’re not ready yet", or "What if people question you?"
With ego being in charge, teachers become rigid and resist being challenged or seek recognition instead of focusing on impact.
How can you fix it?
Stay a student—true mastery is always evolving.
Teach from the divine flow, not the mind alone.
I remember leading a session where someone challenged my perspective. I felt a sting — that nasty ego reaction. But then I took a breath and reminded myself: this is not about me—this is about The Divine Truth. The more I let go of “needing to be right,” the deeper my teachings became.
Stay a student—true mastery is always evolving.
Can you recognise ego in yourself?
Yes, you can! Ask yourself these few questions:
Do you get defensive when questioned?
Do you compare your gifts with others?
Do you struggle with imposter syndrome?
Do you feel drained or resentful after helping others?
If any of these resonate, ego might be sneaking into your spiritual work.
If any of these resonate, ego might be sneaking into your spiritual work. The good news is that awareness gives you the power to shift. By releasing ego, you create space for deeper connection, clarity, and true service.
This article wouldn’t be complete without practical ways to release ego, so here are a few powerful exercises to help you move beyond its grip.
1. Surrender meditation
Sit in silence, breathe peacefully and ask: “Who am I without my titles, my work, my name?”.
Let go of every identity and sit in pure presence. Dive as deep as you can.
You may experience:
Discomfort and resistance – realising how much self-worth is tied to roles and achievements.
Emotional release – grieving attachments to identity-based validation.
Deeper self-awareness – recognising the essence beyond labels.
Spiritual expansion – feeling more connected to your soul’s truth.
Do some journaling on this daily and observe what unfolds!
2. Service without recognition
Do one act of kindness or healing without telling anyone. Often, we want others to praise us for doing good. But notice how your ego reacts when you do something just because it's the right thing to do, not because you will be acknowledged.
3. The “wrong” exercise
Let yourself be corrected or misunderstood without defending yourself. Watch how ego wants to jump in. Smile, and just allow it to happen. Do NOT entertain your ego drama. Let it go. You don't have to prove anything to anyone.
4. The ego burn ritual
Write down every attachment you have to your role (e.g., “I need to be seen as a healer”). Burn the paper safely and say: "I surrender all false identities. May divine wisdom flow through me freely."
Is it possible to be completely ego-free?
Nope. The goal is not to destroy the ego but to master it. Even enlightened beings have an ego - the difference is they are not controlled by it.
True power is humility. The more we let go of needing to “be” something, the more divine energy flows through us.
Ego wants control, but real magic happens when we surrender. You can read more on the Power of Surrender here: https://www.olgageidane.com/single-post/the-power-of-surrender-unlocking-divine-flow-miracles-and-manifestation.
The greatest healers, messengers, teachers, and protectors are not those who claim power but those who become empty vessels for divine energy to move through.
I’ll leave you with a question: What’s one thing you can let go of today to release ego’s grip?
Let me know either via email Olga@newlifekickstart.com or via DM on social media—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
*Claircognizance - instant, intuitive knowledge without logical reasoning. The prefix "Clair-" comes from the French word clair, meaning "clear." In the context of spiritual abilities, it signifies clear perception beyond the five senses. Each "clair" represents a different way of receiving intuitive or extrasensory information, as listed above. You can read about other types of channeling here: https://www.olgageidane.com/single-post/the-art-of-channeling-unlocking-divine-downloads-and-expanding-your-connection