Ego

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This is best explained with an example.

 

Suppose we have an iron ball on one side, which is black, cold,

round and heavy, and on the other side we have fire that is hot,

bright, apparently shapeless and weightless. When these two come

into contact with each other, the iron ball becomes red, hot,bright,

and heavy, i.e., it retains some original qualities and picks up

otehrs from the fire. Similarly, the fire appears to be round,

bright and hot as its qualities have intermingled with taht of the

iron ball.

 

Similarly, the intellect is inert, changing, insentient, whereas

Consciousness is sentient and all-ervading. When Consciousness

enters the intellect, the intellect is enlivened, and thus ego is

born. Consciousness entering the intellect is called 'Reflect of

Consciousness' or CHICCHAYA.

 

Indentification of Consciousness with ego makes us feel finite and

limited. Our goal in life is to be perfect and beyond limitations.

This need for completeness creates desires, and desires lead to

agitation. Thus we struggle to fulfil the desire, thinking that we

will be perfect if they are fulfilled. But fulfilling one desire

leads to more desires. This means that the satisfaction that we

derive from fulfilling a desire is only finite and temporary. That

is, desires become the end rather than the means and we are caught

up in the web of desires.

 

Contd....