Renouncing the Ego of Intellect

 

We experience divine happiness and true peace after listening to this sweet discussion. So just imagine: those people who sacrifice completely in a truly practical way—what can be said of their abode of bliss, where there is no vice, no sluggishness, no impure thoughts, no waste, and not even the memory of body and world? Surely, they must be constantly swinging in the swing of peace.

By reflecting on the state of complete sacrifice, I am experiencing a deep, soul-level happiness even now. Once that state is fully attained, there will undoubtedly be no limit to one’s happiness. Therefore, let us study the signs of complete sacrifice and the efforts required to become a high-class renunciant, so that I can adopt this principle of sacrifice with depth. We will also understand the signs of a person who is not a true renunciant.

Signs of someone who has not renounced the ego of the intellect

 

A person who has not renounced the ego of the intellect keeps saying, “Dear, I understand everything. What do you all think of me? Am I ignorant?” Such a person constantly tries to prove every statement he makes. He insists on his own words, stresses them repeatedly, tries to make them acceptable to everyone, and becomes upset when others do not agree. He labels others as foolish and pays little attention to what they say.

If, after some time, his opinion turns out to be correct, he proudly announces, “I told you this earlier, but you people did not agree!” One who has not sacrificed the ego of his intellect always tries to have things his own way, gives little importance to the views of others, uses other people’s examples to justify his own words, and becomes stubborn. In this way, he creates situations of disagreement, spreads discord and misunderstanding, and thus works against the welfare of all.

The greater a person’s ego of intellect, the more he hungers for name and fame. Whatever work he does then carries fewer intentions of public welfare and more intentions of personal recognition and prestige. He becomes delighted when he receives praise and fame; but when he does not receive recognition or comfort, his nature, tone, and mood change. His willingness to help decreases, and relationships begin to deteriorate.

If a person does not give up the ego of his intellect even after renouncing all other forms of ego, then this one ego alone covers all the others, and he becomes veiled in the eyes of people. His true greatness no longer remains in their hearts.

How to renounce the ego of the intellect?

 

(To be continued…)