Share the wisdom of Sri Sri Ravishankarji - 20.

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Dear Friends and devotees

 

Bhakti is eternal

 

Share the Wisdom of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji.

 

 

20. EGO

 

The “I” or Ego in you is a tiny atom. If this atom is associated with the

body, with matter, it identifies with matter. If this atom is associated with

the being, the infinite, it identifies with the being, the infinite, it

identifies with the infinite. When this atom, this ego, identifies with the

body, it becomes miserable. But when it is associated with the spirit, it

becomes Divine. It becomes Shakti –energy –when it is associated with the being,

the self.

 

In a huge atomic reactor it is just one atom that is exploded. In the same

way, in our whole body there is just one atom of “I”. And when this “I”

explodes, it becomes the light of the self.

 

Usually we say “I am miserable,” or “I am happy.” Shift this atom of ego from

identifying with the body and the conceptual world, to identifying with the real

world.

 

When you think well of yourself, in a very subtle way, you think badly about

others. Then anger, jealousy and hatred follow. When you think badly about

yourself, you feel low and again you become angry and you hate others. When you

think well of yourself, you are in trouble and when you think badly of yourself,

you are in greater trouble. So drop your self image.

 

Ego causes heaviness, discomfort. Ego does not let love flow. Ego can be

transcended by knowing the truth, by inquiring “Who am I?” Often, you feel

contempt or jealousy towards some one who is egoistical. Instead you should have

compassion or even pity.

 

There is also a positive aspect of ego. Ego drives you to do work. A person

will do a job either out of compassion or out of ego. Most of the work in

society is done out of Ego. But in satsang, work is done out of love. Ego is

separateness, non-belongingness. It desires to prove and to possess. When you

wake up and see that there is nothing to be proven and nothing to possess, ego

dissolves.

 

There are three modes of communication; in head-to-head communication you

talk, in heart-to-heart communication you sing and soul-to-soul communication

happens in silence.

 

When you meet with people, you often communicate from head-to-head. You keep

talking, blabbering, and you keep communication only on the level of the

intellect. When you are with nature, you start singing; you communicate with

nature from your heart. And when you are with Guru, you go blank and forget all

your questions. Then communication comes through the soul in silence.

 

When you meet with people, you prefer to remain in your head. Except when it

is organized, you seldom sing with people. Your ego obstructs you from singing.

When you sing with people, then you descend to the heart or feeling level. Some

feel comfortable just listening to music. Some feel comfortable singing only

when they are alone. Some sing to draw attention to themselves or to charm

others. Some only want to join in when everyone else is singing. This type of

singing all comes from ego.

 

Bhajan means sharing – sharing from the deepest level of our existence. Bhajan

is authentic sharing. If you could truly sing with people, your ego would

shatter. Children can sing with people for they do not have ego. To sing with a

stranger you have to be free of ego.

 

The head level is safe for the ego. The heart level breaks the ego. The soul

level dissolves the ego. The inability to communicate always occurs because of

ego.

 

Just as your car runs out of fuel and you have to refill it again and again,

so your dedication and commitment run out over the course of time. They need

constant renewal. You have to dedicate and rededicate again and again. Often

people take their dedication for granted, and then the mind starts demanding or

complaining. When dedication is not complete, it leads to grumbling and

complaints. Total dedication brings enormous enthusiasm, zeal, trust, and

challenge. Total dedication leaves no room for ego.

 

What breaks intimacy?

 

· Taking a position, or ego

· Desires or expectations

· Insensitivity or too much sensitivity

· Judgments

· Taking intimacy for granted

· Finding imperfection in yourself or others

· Grumbling or lack of gratitude

· Lack of vivek -- discretion, or lack of vairagya – dispassion

 

To maintain intimacy, dissolve into infinity. Dissolving into infinity brings

you to the moment. Go beyond events and be in the moment. Dissolve into

intimacy – this is the way to maintain it.

 

To be contd. . . . 21.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.

 

 

 

 

 

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