Ego
Two men in a room, room is in an apartment, apartment is in a building
Building is in a locality, locality is in a city, city is in a state
State is in a Nation, Nation is in a continent, continent is on The Earth
The Earth is in a solar system, solar system is in the galaxy
The Galaxy is in the Milky way…
We are so small still we create TWO WORLDs in a single room!
'Me' on the top of the world
Alexander the great – why “the great” because he conquered the world – with sword! Cold war – why? To prove WE are better than YOU. MY country is superior than YOURs. This applies to the recent attacks in cities of Afghanistan, social unrest in the Middle East (suppressed ego of citizen and suppressing ego of the respective rulers) and Nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea. We see political, religious, cultural and regional problems because of Ego.
At the same time, I am of the opinion that ego is not a problem, the manifestation of the same is a problem. Self respect becomes ego when it crosses a certain line. I see many solutions to this, one is when we start looking at ourselves through the lenses of the poet who wrote the above lines. We are tiny small creatures and there are many things beyond I and MY GROUP. For some, ‘I’ and ‘My group’ becomes purpose of existence. Second solution I see is through the eyes of Mirdad. Other is through the peaceful methods e.g. meditation suggested by spiritual masters.
What say you – is ego ‘purpose of existence’ or a problem?
Related blog – Forbidden word
You use the term in the English psychological sense, whereas I would use it in the Indian spiritual sense of the sense of doership. If you accept that my interpretation is as valid as that of Freud, then I think that the ego is also mithya. The real you is the witness. Tat Twam Asi. If you accept that, then you are Brhma. Ever growing consciousness. This puny body is mithya. You need not feel inadequate or insignificant.
Yes I meant English word and English meaning of Ego. How many of us (including me) mean are bound and respect the Indian Spiritual meaning of doer-ship?
Uncleji, on personal level I accept your interpretation and ‘Tat twam asi’ as well as ‘aham brahmasmi’ (the Mahavakya)… however on a daily basis… we are struggling, read any news paper and we see Ego with English meaning. Am I right?
You are indeed. I am attempting to shift that perception. No more, no less.
Yes uncleji need to shift gears and perception… seems difficult is not it?