This is a great story you've shared but I must strongly disagree with ego being your shadow. Yes, we all have a shadow but that shadow is created by feelings we repress. And when you seek to be spiritual, to get closer to God, whatever term you may use, your shadow self tries to stop you. It strikes at what is most important to your life here because that might distract you from growing in spirit. If making money is what's most important to you, your shadow self attacks the way you earn money. If what's most important to you is herding sheep (an off the wall suggestion) then your shadow self will attack your ability to do the walking required in herding sheep (or cattle, etc.). Your shadow self is real and ego is a relatively small part of it.