 Although
our minds are infinite, we tend to limit ourselves through our ego.
Our ego does not really exist. We identify ourselves with this illusory
ego. It is at the centre of all our relationships.
This ego is certainly needed for our existence: to get up, to work
and to contribute to society. However, we have minimal control over
it. The ego is the first of the five principal vices.
A great Eastern mystic, Nanak, the founder of Sikhism - affirmed:
"One comes and goes in ego. One takes birth and dies in ego.
One earns and loses in ego. One is truthful and false in ego. One is
virtuous and non-virtuous in ego. One rises to heaven and falls in
hell in ego. One laughs and weeps in ego.
One is emaciated and washed in ego. One loses one’s real self
in ego.
One is foolish and wise in ego and is not aware of Moksha (freedom).
One is overpowered by Maya and illusion in ego. (Maya is an Indian
metaphysical concept that explains appearance and reality; Maya creates
ignorance and that which is false appears as true). ….. If one
can understand the ego, one can realise bliss. Without knowledge one
wastes one's life in fruitless discussion."
Pride is when the mind feels arrogance. If we consider ourselves
as handsome or beautiful, wealthy or good at something, we use such
egocentric reasons as excuses for considering ourselves special and
develop pride.
We consider ourselves superior to others for whatever reason. When
we are filled with pride it is difficult to benefit much from life.
We are easily injured, abused and slighted. We suffer unhappiness because
we find few around us who share the same glorified perception of ourselves;
others appear disrespectful and inconsiderate to us. This contributes
to mental conflict and thus we feel stress.
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