Ain't that the beautiful truth. Bubbles is a good way to put it. Yes, my ego is a bubble within the reality bubble. I actually have a fair sized back piece tattoo, of 'the flower of life': a bunch of overlapping/interconnected circles in a circle. I love the concept... 

You're right about surrendering too, I think after 8+ years that must be where I'm headed. Not necessarily giving up my quest- but it coming to an end nonetheless... maybe I will be able to completely abandon the idea of control, and just be content... who knows... My trip was almost an excercise in letting go. It felt like I was in a raging river of feeling, holding onto a root branch of ego for dear life. The metaphorical rapids crashed around me until I absolutely couldn't hold on. I truly thought I was going to die, but I let go, and what a wave of relief it was to be swept out to sea...