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My Dear Ones,
The ego is an inseparable
part of our human existence. It features in every aspect of our lives whether
we are conscious of it or not. It can be a friend on the journey or an enemy depending
on how we use it. When we do not understand how it works we may not use it in
the best possible way for our spiritual growth. It is extremely important that
we recognize its presence in our lives and how to deal with it as we seek to uncover
our true Self and to build a world of love, peace and harmony around us.
As conscious beings we not only think and reason, imagine and memorize but we
also create the sense of personal identity. This gives us a sense of self as apart
from the world around us. This sense of self appropriation is called ego. This
ego can be inflated as when we think highly of ourselves giving us what we may
call a 'big ego' or can be contracted into a state of inferiority where we think
little of ourselves or have a low self esteem. The ego can also develop good habits
and qualities as well as negative ones. We need to observe this sense of self
as it arises within us and to not let it get carried away to the extent that it
creates pain and heartaches.
In a natural way, we enjoy developing a good
ego as it makes us feel good about ourselves. When we create good desires and
work towards being good, we get a good feeling about ourselves. This is all well
and good but we need to be careful that we do not develop an over inflated idea
of ourselves and begin to project that towards others. If we give in to this temptation
and expect others to treat us in a special way, when they do not comply, we may
end up feeling disappointed and hurt. The goal is always to hold the ego in check
or to keep it in a state of surrender.
A safe way to deal with a good
ego without being hurt or disappointed is to give all credit that comes to us
to God or the Power that lies within us. When someone praises us we should give
that praise to God. When we acquire material wealth or some office of power we
should think it is a gift from God. We should feel that we are custodians of the
power and property that comes to us and that the real Source is God. This is a
safe posture of the ego that prevents pain and hurt.
We do have the ability
as conscious beings to look at all that is happening to us as an observer. When
we begin to witness our inner world from this place within us we will see how
the ego can rise and also contract. It can become happy and also sad. This ability
to witness allows us to stay in a safe place inside where we feel protected by
the Higher Self within. We need to learn how to find and stay in this place within.
A really powerful experience of this inner place can come to us in the presence
of those who are truly selfless and live in a state of unconditional love. In
such beings the ego is spiritualized. It lives in harmony with the inner Self.
It is the perfect friend.
How is your ego? Is it where you want it to
be or do you need to work on it? Be mindful of this elusive entity on the journey.
Yours in service,
Vasudeva
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