Ego

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

Turning to the Yoga Sutras, we should first recall that all of the modifications of citta are said to be either [I]klista[/I] (causing suffering) or [I]aklista[/I] not causing suffering. Naturally, Yoga is concerned with minimizing those modifications of citta that cause suffering.

The particular [I]klesa[/I] (cause of suffering) that is relevant to the discussion is [I]asmita[/I], literally (and clumsily) translated as I-am-ness. The explanation of [I]asmita[/I] in the Yoga Sutras is arcane, (and cannot be understood without knowledge of Samkhya metaphysics).

Swami Hariharananda Aranya:
"Asmita is tantamount to the identification of Purusa or Pure consciousness with Buddhi."
The common feature of all the afflictions is erroneous cognition which is a source of pain

I.K. Taimni:
Asmita is the identity or blending together, as it were, of the power of consciousness (Purusa) with the power of cognition.

In my view, [I]asmita[/I] is egotism, a fundamental misconception about the nature of the self, leading to suffering. I believe that the passages in the Bhagavad Gita that I quoted previously are really talking about [I]asmita[/I]. It describes the [I]klista[/I] version of rajas, Samkhya describes the [I]aklista[/I] version.

#22

[QUOTE=Hubert;21858]

But what is this ego, anyway ?[/QUOTE]

I think that ego is identification with your physical body.

#23

[QUOTE=Hubert;21858]

But what is this ego, anyway ?[/QUOTE]

In human consciousness, the soul experiences itself as ego, identified with the physical body, name, titles, possessions, nationality, and all othe factors of I, me, and mine.

In the subconcious state, the soul cognizes itself as the restless power of dreams, or as the dreamless peace of deep sleep.

In the superconscious state, the soul feels itself as undiluted, formless, ever new joy.

In the state of Christ Consciousness, the soul, emerging from its three metaphysically dead bodies, feels itself commingled with the Christ Intelligence in all creation, the ever-conscious, supreme orincely Intelligence guiding all other kingly intelligent forces that govern the earth and all matter.

#24

In my previous post I forgot to quote the source: Yogananda, The Second Coming of Christ.

Metphysically dead bodies

Metaphysically speaking, however. real death means not only extinction of life in the physical body of 16 elements, but also the dissolution of the 2 other bodies in which the soul is encased-the astral body of 19 elements and the causal body of 35 elemental ideas. Death is a condition applicable only to these 3 bodies.

It is the immortal soul that the Father raises up, provided that…

Same source quoted.

Note: I posted that because I quoted it in my previous post

#25

[QUOTE=Asuri;22002] So we see that both the seer and the seen come from Ahamkara[/QUOTE]

The seen is the ahamkara of the seer.

How can ahamkara exist independently ?

#26

[quote=oak333;22042]In human consciousness, the soul experiences itself as ego, identified with the physical body, name, titles, possessions, nationality, and all othe factors of I, me, and mine.

In the subconcious state, the soul cognizes itself as the restless power of dreams, or as the dreamless peace of deep sleep.

In the superconscious state, the soul feels itself as undiluted, formless, ever new joy.

In the state of Christ Consciousness, the soul, emerging from its three [B]metaphysically dead bodies[/B], feels itself commingled with the Christ Intelligence in all creation, the ever-conscious, supreme orincely Intelligence guiding all other kingly intelligent forces that govern the earth and all matter.[/quote]

Metaphisically dead bodies ? This should not be so; they are alive exactly because they are created and permeated by spirit. I think history has shown how a reductionist, negativist approach leads to a barren outer life. We need to live our lives according to the spirit, or Christ Consciousness, as presumably Yogananda calls it. This means no rejection but transcendence. The lowest body, the physical one, is actually the most complex and most developed and bearer of greater wisdom than ours. It must not be rejection, but spiritualization. Buddha attained this state when he died, Master Jesus did it on mount Tabor. In both cases they were percieved as if illuminated from within.

#27

Yalgaar buddy,

So why do you want to know so much about the ego? Don’t you know, that would be egotistical? LOL That’s just a joke.

How’s that headstand coming? Are you ready to move on to scorpion yet? You go man! Be ambitious. Challenge yourself. Have desire. Live completely, but think about what motivates you. What’s your attachment? And are you being truthful, or is it glory or praise you want? I don’t think so. I think you’re on track. Keep practicing and let some of these things take care of themselves. Don’t worry so much. There is no glory to be had anyway.

Geez! So much here about ego. All very interesting stuff to consider. I would like to offer something quite simple that has been very helpful for me, that is to make the ego just one thing: IDENTIFYING SELF AS MIND, i.e., I am my thought, I am my knowledge, I am my memory. Right? That’s ego.

What causes it? Distraction (those modifications of the mind…) What are the mechanisms through which it survives? Categorization, analyzation, comparison, etc., anything that divides itself (you) from everything else. Your ego says “I am not this, I am not that, that is not me, you are not me, I am not you,” etc. This is really the utmost thing to be concerned with. How pervasive this is. You want to kill that. How? IDENTIFY SELF AS CONSCIOUSNESS:

I am not my body,
I am not my thoughts,
I am not my knowledge,
I am not my memory
I am not my headstand…

Does anyone out there want to add to this please?

Peace,
Siva

#28

[QUOTE=Hubert;22059]Metaphisically dead bodies ? This should not be so; they are alive exactly because they are created and permeated by spirit. .[/QUOTE]

Yogananda actually was quite clear here. Obviously the three bodies (causal, astral, physical) are alive. It is also obvious that they die.

The point here is that not only the physical body dies but also the causal and astral bodies die.

Quote:

Metaphysically speaking, however, REAL DEATH means not only extinction of life in the physical body, but also th dissolution of the other two bodies in which the soul is encased, the astral body and the causal body. Death is a condition applicable only to these three bodies.

It is the IMMORTAL SOUL that the Father raises up.

       Yogananda-The Second Coming of Christ, discourse 21.
#29

[QUOTE=PatR;22057]The seen is the ahamkara of the seer.[/QUOTE]

Not at all. Both the seer and the seen are regarded as evolved from Ahamkara. The seer being composed of the instruments of cognition and action, the seen being composed of the potentials of perception.

[QUOTE=PatR;22057] How can ahamkara exist independently ?[/QUOTE]

I don’t know. Who said Ahamkara exists independently? It is the sense of self and the reality of individuality.

#30

[QUOTE=Asuri;22075]Not at all. Both the seer and the seen are regarded as evolved from Ahamkara. The seer being composed of the instruments of cognition and action, the seen being composed of the potentials of perception.

I don't know. Who said Ahamkara exists independently? It is the sense of self and the reality of individuality.[/QUOTE]

Ok

#31

One of the best books on the market about the ego is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. You can also read A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. You will have a full understanding of the concept after these two books I promise you.

#32

ego keeps us seperate from Source. The idea is that we are all one , and being a part of the whole Absolute does not require personal desires and passions. They just serve to keep us stuck in world of dualism, right and wrong, good and bad. there are actually no such things, they are all illusionary and a way out of the world of good and bad right and wrong is to stop thinking we are different or separate. There is a difference between will power to achieve things, and being egotistical and proud. Who care is you can do the headstand? does it make you closer to God? seems not, so where is the Union (yoga) there then?

It is common for hatha yoga to fuel people’s egos as it makes us feel so strong and vibrant. that is a good reason for balancing it with bhakti (devotional) yoga to keep us humble. You are an instrument of God, and your feeling proud of being able to put your body in positions other cant easily is keeping you way seperate.