Ego or sense of self importance gives us a swollen head. We feel that we are better than others and think, speak and behave as if others are lesser than us. We are born without ego but as we grow older, we develop the sense of self importance and this grows stronger with age. There is far too much competition in the world today and in order to survive and be successful we become hard and unyielding. We become egoistic. Ego prevents us from hearing out what others have to tell us. We are not even ready to listen to them or try to understand their point of view. Only what we think or say or believe matters. We are the best. When we behave in this way, we live in a state of self imposed mental restriction and constrict our intelligence and logic.
Where ego is given freedom and it gains strength, it overrides common sense. Then common sense has no voice or say even when there is danger or violation of ethics and principles. Where ego resides in full strength, common sense moves out to make place for ego. We become a danger to ourselves as we have no common sense to guide us. This story of the Guru and Head of the monastery demonstrates this truth:
There was a realised Guru who taught simple living and love of God through naama japa (chanting the name of God) and meditation. He stressed more on bhakti and surrender to God and rarely went into philosophical discussions. He spoke to people from his direct inner experiences and his words had a deep and lasting impact on the listeners and disciples. The power of his experiences and realisation vibrated through his presence and life and influenced all those who came in contact with him. Rich and poor, man and woman, child and old people, owners and workers – all came to the talks given by the Guru and followed his teachings. The love of God within him connected and vibrated with the presence of Divinity within those who came in contact with him.
His growing popularity and influence over people irritated the Head of a nearby monastery. He resented the power wielded by the Guru with such simple talks. The Guru was really illiterate- for he rarely quoted any ancient or sacred texts. The Head was determined to confront the Guru and expose him to the world for the fraud that he was.
One day, when the Guru was addressing a large crowd, the Head came there to debate with him and defeat him. He stood in the back of the crowd and shouted across in a loud voice: O great Guru, you have many here who respect you and obey you. I do not respect you. Can you make a man like me obey you?
The Guru replied: Come up here to the platform beside me and I will show you.
The Head marched past the crowd very haughtily to the Guru. The Guru said: Now come to my right side. The Head went to the right side of the Guru.
The Guru then said: We will be able to talk better if you are seated to my left side. So please step over to the other side. The Head proudly obeyed him.
Then the Guru gave a sweet smile and addressed the Head: You see, you are obeying me. I think you are a very good and gentle person. Now sit down and listen to the teachings.
Ego creates fiction that we are separate and different from others. We need to understand that we are gifted in different ways but are essentially the same spark of the Divine Light. When this knowledge comes to us, there is no more ego. Regular japa of SitaRam Mantra, meditation and following the teachings of the Guru help us to understand the unity of life and overcome ego.
