I am not well versed of Freudian ego, Patrick. But all ego are identities. 'I' and 'me' is all ego. No doubt it helps in dealing with the people and certain situations. But attachment towards it leads to snowballing of things. The defense is part of ego. Clutching on to a story.

In deep states of life, we experience something much profound. It is identity less state where unconditional love flows.