When you are in a group, and there is discomfort, this is because of barriers, of the ego. Take a deep breath, watch the discomfort, it will disappear.’ ~ Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

What is ego?

Ego says, “I am something, I am somebody, I am very great”

OR

“I am not so great. I am not so evolved. I am a fool”: This is also ego!

Ego simply means lack of respect to the Self. Ego upsets you very often. Ego causes heaviness, discomfort. It doesn't let love flow.

Ego is simply not being natural. Ego is when you go away from your centre.

Ego and self esteem

Often one confuses ego with self esteem.

Ego needs the other for comparison; self esteem is just confidence in oneself. For example, a gentleman claims that he is thorough in Mathematics or Geography, this is self esteem. But to say that I know better than you, that is Ego.

Ego is an impediment for a leader, wise man, merchant or a servant, but it is a necessity for a warrior, a competitor. A warrior is one who takes on challenges and commitment and stands by it.

Three types of Ego:

• Satvik Ego – it keeps expanding and doesn’t hurt others; it becomes a fountain of creativity. If you cannot surrender, at least have satvik ego, as a Sattivic ego is always ready to sacrifice.
• Raajsik Ego – it only makes you to show off to others, it gives you short term joy and long term misery.
• Taamsik Ego – it is destructive to oneself and others.

Move from Taamsik Ego towards Satvik Ego, and from Raajsik Ego towards Satvik Ego,

And from Satvik Ego - in deep meditation - you get Nirvana, egoless state.

Ego dissolves in meditation

Transcend ego with the enquiry, "Who am I?"

When we look at our ego, it dissolves. To be egoless is to be free, being natural and feeling at home everywhere, all times, with every group. Meditation brings deep rest and brings the awareness of who you are. Then there is no room for ego.

If you still cannot get rid of your ego, then take pride in owning the Divine. It brings a shift.

The shell that is ego is covering our essence, that love, just like the seed is covered by a shell. To uncover the ego we can do practices such as yoga, meditation, breathing practices and Sudarshan Kriya.