Baba Hari Dass: Ego

“The ego rules the mind because it links the “I” with the mind and body”

Baba Hari Dass

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Book II, 2008
Context: The ego rules the mind because it links the “I” with the mind and body. If the “I,” which is another name for the self, were not identified with the mind and body, the ego would have no power. Self-study [svadhyaya], therefore, is the set of practices that investigates the nature of the self to discover its origin. When the origin is found to be separate from the body, the ego loses the battle and peace is attain. (Bk. II, Sutra 1, p.5)

“If the ego is pulled toward the world, it makes a wall. If the same ego is pulled toward God, it makes a ladder”

Baba Hari Dass

Miscellaneous
Context: Control of the mind can be achieved by understanding yourself, the aim and the energy which is blocking us from progressing. Between God and the Self, the blocking energy is the ego. If the ego is pulled toward the world, it makes a wall. If the same ego is pulled toward God, it makes a ladder.

God , World

“The ego has no form and no particular center of existence. It pervades the mind, intellect, senses, and the body as 'I am.”

Baba Hari Dass

Source: The Path to Enlightenment is not a Highway, 1996, p.65

Sense

“Life in the world functions by ego, attachment and desire, which gives the rise to the idea of “likes” and “dislikes”. In this way the mind starts identifying all experiences in the world in terms of opposites, such as pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat”

Baba Hari Dass

Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Ch. I-VI, 2013
Context: In this verse Lord Krishna advises Arjuna how to fight the battle he is trying to avoid. Life in the world functions by ego, attachment and desire, which gives the rise to the idea of “likes” and “dislikes”. In this way the mind starts identifying all experiences in the world in terms of opposites, such as pleasure and pain, gain and loss, victory and defeat... Here, Sri Krishna is saying that if Arjuna has neither desire for heaven nor for sovereignty over the earth, then he should achieve equanimity of the mind. With equanimity of the mind one can achieve success in the war of life. Without it, one cannot remain unaffected by the pairs of opposites and will be continually tossed about by the waves of egocentric likes and dislikes.

Life , Pain , Pleasure , World

“Q: How do you define ego? A: Ego is life. To keep the body's existence is ego. It is the part of the mind which identifies a creature with the world. Ego self tells you, “This is my body,” and also tells you, “This is my Self.” It connects the two.”

Baba Hari Dass

Source: Silence Speaks, from the chalkboard of Baba Hari Dass, 1977, p.15

Life , World , Parting

“Q: What is silence? A: Silence is an austerity. You control your desire to talk. By talking, people try to impress others, which you can't do if you are in silence. In silence you have to develop tolerance. At first it is difficult to do because you separate yourself from others by not expressing yourself. But gradually the mind reduces that ego and an aspirant accepts the situation, which develops tolerance and reduces anger.”

Baba Hari Dass

165
Silence Speaks, from the chalkboard of Baba Hari Dass, 1977

People , Silence , Anger

“Just like pure water poured in a dirty cup becomes dirty, similarly the pure ego rooted in the impure mind becomes impure ego.”

Baba Hari Dass

Ego: (p.49)
The Path to Enlightenment is not a Highway, 1996