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* 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.

woman looking sat self

“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

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Val Boyko is originally from Scotland and came to the United States over 30 years ago. At "Find Your Middle Ground" Val brings together her experience as a life coach, yoga teacher, spiritual explorer and mentor, to inspire awakening to the light and greater understanding within us all. This blog is a place of exploration and discovery as we explore opening our hearts and finding harmony and peace in the highs and lows of life 💛

16 comments on “* Reflections on Ego – “I” and “i”

  1. nrhatch's avatar

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

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  2. Dilip's avatar

    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 T Boyko's avatar

      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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  3. Carrie Cannady's avatar
    Carrie Cannady

    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 T Boyko's avatar

      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. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Susan's avatar

    What a powerful lesson in a little dot!

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  5. dianasschwenk's avatar

    Definitely something to think on Val! ❤
    Diana xo

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  6. Karen Lang's avatar

    Yoga does indeed help remove the “Dot” and so much more.

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  7. Robert Jepson's avatar

    An excellent insight into the nature of the ego, thanks for sharing it Val 🙂

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