LIFE JOURNEY: SEVEN STEPS TO REDUCE YOUR EGO

Seven steps to reduce your ego

Ego is simply an idea of who you are that you carry around with you. As such, it cannot be surgically removed by having an egoectomy! This idea of who you think you are will persistently erode any possibility you have of connecting to intention.

-Dr. Wayne Dyer

Commentary by Sudhir Krishnan

It is well known that our ego is the real obstacle to the progress in our spiritual evolution. What Dr. Wayne Dyer refers to as “Connecting to intention” is known by different terms such as “Connecting to source” in law of attraction, “attaining higher states of consciousness” or simply to be “One with God”. It is the ego that keeps us disconnected to our source.

Dr. Dyer gives us the following seven suggestions by which the grip of the ego can be reduced:

Step 1) Stop being offended

When we get offended, it is really our ego at work. We take something that someone did or said personally, and make it wrong. Getting offended creates the same destructive energy that offended you in the first place and leads to an escalated situation of negative energy, thus moving us away from our connection to source. This has been elaborated in yesterday’s article “Don’t take things personally” : http://www.facebook.com/notes/inspirations-by-sudhir-krishnan/dont-take-anything-personally/215576405125249

Step 2) Let go of the need to win

It is our ego that divides the world into winners and losers. While performing to the best of our abilities is necessary, the real problem happens when we start associating our self-worth to winning. If our self-worth is associated with winning, sooner or later we will get disconnected from source, as it not possible to win all the time. There will always be someone faster, stronger, younger, smarter on some day.

Step 3) Let go of the need to be right

The natural job of the ego is to make ourselves right, and make others wrong. Being connected to our source is being kind, loving, receptive and at peace, without any anger, resentment or bitterness. Giving power to the ego is encouraging it's natural hostility, and when one is hostile, he is disconnected from the source. The ego is the reason many beautiful relationships are destroyed. In moments when the ego kicks in strongly, one can ask ourselves “Do we want to be right or do we want to be happy?” Choosing to be happy keeps our connection to our source and helps us create the life we want.

Step 4) Let go of the need to be superior

All of us are equal in the eyes of God. Each and every person is a manifestation of divinity. We all have a special purpose of our own. No one is inferior or superior. However it is natural for the ego to identify others on the basis of their appearance, achievements, intelligence and possessions, and judge itself as superior in some way. A superiority complex is a form of hostility, and attracts back only hostile feelings, and keeps us disconnected with source.

Step 5) Let go of the need to have more

The ego is never satisfied and always wants more. No matter how much one achieves or acquires, it is never enough for the ego. However this constant need of wanting more keeps one perpetually in a state of lack, and only brings back more lack. Instead, when we let go of this need to have more, we naturally start attracting abundance in our life. The nature of source is to be contended, without any lack, and hence contentment is necessary to be connected to the source.

Step 6) Stop identifying yourself on the basis of your achievements

The ego’s concept is that “I did it” - It is I who achieved everything. All spiritual students are taught that “We are not the doer”. What does that mean? It means giving up the need to take credit for all achievements. A person advanced on the path realizes that ultimately all talents are given by Him, and the credit for all achievements also goes to Him. We just need to be grateful that He has given us unique talents with which we fulfill our purpose in this world. Taking all credit for our achievements is like the pen taking credit for writing a poem that the poet penned down. As long as we think “we did it”, the ego is active and we are disconnected from our source.

Step 7) Let go of your reputation

Your reputation lies in the minds of others and you have no control over it. When we are overly concerned about what others think of us, we are disconnected from our source and become a slave to other’s opinions. The real voice to listen to the voice of the heart - in doing so one is truly connected to his purpose and fully connected to the source. Your reputation has nothing to do with you - so let others debate over it.