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Summary of Question:	What Is Ego?
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Friday, 1/06/2006 9:34 PM MST

Sat Nam.

I recently received a book which went into great detail into Ardaas, and how it should be done ideally with no ego involved whatsoever. Since reading it I've been busting myself up asking, what exactly *is* the human ego?

If the ego is the self, in the sense of the person that we are, isn't it kind of hard to get rid of? The part of me that likes reading and writing and knitting and my cats, who goes to work every day and likes to go singing with my husband--this is part of me, my personality, my talents, and given by God; if this self, this God-given personality is the ego, how do you make yourself devoid of something which was created by a higher designer? Or why, for that matter? I was made what I am for some reason.

Or is ego the self out of control so bad that the human being is totally wrapped up in the self? Like saying the devil with charity so long as I can go buy that book/CD/lipstick/whatever?

I'm told I should approach God with no ego-strings attached,and now I'm almightily puzzled. Could you perhaps tell me what is the difference between the self as in the individual person, and the kind of self that you don't find among The Company of the Holy?

Blessed be,
Elizabeth

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reply
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Sat nam Elizabeth. Ego can be controlled, it cannot be fully eradicated. Ego in Sikhi is not just the prideful or the selfish. It is living for self rather than for guru or others, and it is living in opposition to Guru's teaching, whether one does so consciously or unconsciously. This is far more than vanity over lipstick or loving one's cats and knitting.

The conquering of ego is a process, and a goal. The opposite of this 'haumai' is sukh-sejeh, that perfect state of 'equipoise' where life's ups and downs cease to rock the mind, and Guru's will is understood intuitively. It is a natural state of humility that is attained through meditative practice of the naam and seva. From this, one's intuitive understanding of Guru is learned, and in the process our subconscious garbage, which causes us so much emotional/mental pain, is transmuted. As this process unfolds, we get less caught up in ourselves and our 'stuff'.

In the Sadh Sangat, this goal is far easier to experience--sometimes only briefly--and to attain, than it is by oneself. I have always understood Sadh Sangat to be both earthly and non-earthly. The sangat we celebrate gurdwara with and do our sadhana with is earthly. The great chain of beings exemplified by our 10 Gurus is non-earthly, so to speak. One who sincerely and compassionately disciplines oneself to live the Gurus' word is in the Sadh Sangat of the 10 Gurus, though they are not physically present.

This conquering of ego is possible when reciting and meditating on gurbani, and SGGS reflects this teaching over and over. Please consider doing a sehej paath of SGGS if you can, even if it's online. Read the gurmukhi and then re-read the English. Don't try to get it all at once. You will see its themes (core teachings) and the different ways the same things are said will start to sink in (this is my experience).

We still have to take care of ourselves in order to take care of and serve others. This doesn't go away. So balance is needed. When Guru's teaching are combined with the rehit, you see how we have been given an entire system and discipline for taking care of ourselves in order to have the means and strength to serve others in body and in spirit.

Hope this helps. Guru ang sang,
-DKK