In everyday life, the term ‘ego’ often conveys an image of an arrogant, self-centered personality. However, in the spiritual realm, it holds a different meaning. According to my guru, the ego represents an attitude of the soul, which I perceive as non-existent. Its presence becomes evident when we operate at lower levels of consciousness, but it has no place in pure consciousness or the absolute state of existence.
While the soul remains untouched by birth or death, the ego—the shadow of the soul—cycles through existence. In both infants and sages, the ego remains unaffected by the flow of information from the outer and inner worlds, operating in a pre-thought state.
Between the ages of 9 and 12, our ability to record impressions solidifies, giving rise to our personality—an artificial self shaped by parental influence, friendships, books, school, society, and national identity. Beyond this constructed self, the true being observes dispassionately as life unfolds, progressing through various phases: recognizing others, mastering physical movement, engaging with the world, forming relationships, pursuing education, career, family, and eventually retirement.
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