* Reflections on Ego – “I” and “i”

I have been reading more about ego as part of my exploration of the self in yoga. For practitioners (and interested peeps) this is the fourth observance or Niyama called svadhayaya.

What I’ve discovered is that what I come across, builds on the foundations that I have written about before here and here.

And … you don’t need to be on a spiritual path of yoga to appreciate this wisdom.

This particular insight into ego really resonated with me.

“The ego is a reflection of our true Self on the mind. The two appear to be the same, but one is the original, the other a reflected duplicate.

These two “I”‘s are often referred to as the little “i” and the capital “I”.

What is the difference? Just a small dot, a little blemish of ego.

The capital “I” is just one pure stroke, just as the highest truth is always simple and pure.

What limits us and makes us little? Just the dot.

Without the dot we are always great, always capital “I”. All the practices of yoga are to remove the dot.”

Sri Swami Satchidananda

… its just our little dot …

Namaste

15 responses to “* Reflections on Ego – “I” and “i””

I am that I am. Here’s to living a “no dot” life.

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Val Boyko January 14, 2015 at 1:19 pm · · Reply →

Standing tall and true
I’m with you Nancy!

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Sri Swami Satchidananda wisdom is indeed an eyeopener on Ego. Another insight by a Master on eliminating ego is to “Be nothing, Do nothing”! Do nothing does not mean literally doing nothing it means we are aware that whatever we achieve it is because only because the Almighty willed it so!

Thank you and regards!

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Val Boyko January 14, 2015 at 1:20 pm · · Reply →

Thank you for adding to the conversation! I’ll be posting more on other approaches to ego and how we can deal with it on our spiritual path.

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Powerful wisdom, dear Val. Thank you. Elkhart Tolle was the first author who cracked open this door to me. Since then, many of the world’s wisdom traditions have found their way into my life. All speak in some way of this ego. A wise sage once told me that the soul is the creator of the ego…for identity on this plane. Suffering begins when we find ourselves out of balance – between soul and ego. Integration has been key for me. Ego actually helped me navigate during the many years that I was seeking…I knew there had to be something else…semi-conscious as I was. I lead my life with heart now, in gratitude for ego. Blessings to you dear Val. May the year bring even more. ❤

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Val Boyko January 14, 2015 at 1:26 pm · · Reply →

Thank you Carrie for adding this. How wise to accept the ego as part of our being in this plane, and finding balance by leading life from the heart and aligned to soul.
It really speaks to me.
In gratitude for you. ❤

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What a powerful lesson in a little dot!

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Val Boyko January 14, 2015 at 1:27 pm · · Reply →

Yes indeed Suz. We need to stand true and tall connected to our spirit, instead of worrying about the dot hanging over us 🙂

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