Hi Aussie, I've just finished reading "The Power of Now" for the second time. My understanding is that the ego is your map of reality or your set of belief systems, how you perceive the world and everything in it, including yourself.
As Michael says, when you come across anything that does not fit in with your own map of reality, you dismiss it and don't accept it. The ego always needs to be right and big ego's will argue etc. to try and prove how right they think they are. The ego resists anything that is not compatable with it's own set of beliefs often creating agitation, negative emotions and suffering.
I think all this agitation, negative emotions and suffering accumulate throughout life and become the pain body. The pain body thrives and feeds on drama and is extremely distructive. I hope that makes some sense to you
Maybe someone else will be able to describe it more simply and clearly. One thing I'm certain of is when we live consciously rather than automatically and learn to respond instead of react life can be tremendous. I wish you much joy, happiness and presence
