If someone asks us to do some work, we immediately tend to give suggestions to improve the work. This suggestions may be of best kind to improve the quality of the work but it is not proper for us to just drop suggestions. In general, if we enter (take interest) in someone else's work, knowingly or unknowingly we tend to make suggestions. It is also one kind of ego to make such suggestions.
There are many coverings that come in the way in the development of life. There is no other covering stronger and subtler than ego. There are many people who try to identify the ego and make an effort to remove it. After making such effort, sometimes they say that 'they do not have ego anymore'. But this is an illusion. Element of an Ego tends to lessen late in Sadhana. Just as ego in Jiva-state is a negative element, it is helpful if we use it as a tool in sublimating our life higher in early part of the Sadhana. Influence of obstructive element of ego is present even in the unimaginable higher stages of Sadhana. For this reason, it is best if we accept incidents where ego is given many blows, with awareness and knowledge of the purpose of such blows (to sublimate the ego). Ego takes on many shapes and sizes. As there is development and expression of higher and highest stages of life, at such times ego changes its form to be subtle and subtler. Ego may seem to be broken and scattered with its head cut off but at such times new heads appear and its appearance also takes different form. It is also a matter of solid experience that in obvious humility, there is hidden ego to a great degree. It is very difficult to understand such subtle moves and art of the ego. At this stage, Sadhana is also progressing continuously with true Bhavna. When there is continuity and completeness of the Bhavna of Sadhana, Vivek (sense of discretion) springs up. This Vivek is so subtle that we are able to catch ego and by the grace of God, give it a proper form.
Pujya Shree Mota
Jivan Yog, Edition 1,
Part 1, Pages 362 - 363.
