Is the ego more pronounced when we are upset?

It is more pronounced the more identified we are. For instance, when we feel proud. But it also gains intensity through negativity because our instinctive energy is then behind it full throttle. When you see yourself or someone else expressing negative emotions, you are seeing the result of awareness identifying itself with the mind and body and becoming the ego. As identification increases, the ego gets stronger and negativity gets more intense. Negative emotions, however, are not the ego. They are byproducts. The mind and body act as a conduit for negative emotions and the ego uses negative emotions as a club to fight with, a shield to protect itself with, and a cloak to disguise its phantom identity. When you take negative emotions away from the ego, it atrophies and a state of clear awareness starts to view you and your life in a new light.