Significance of Ego
Synonyms: Self, Self-esteem, Self-importance, Self-worth, Pride, Identity, Confidence, Consciousness, Psyche, Self-respect, Self-conceit, Self-image
In Dutch: Ego; In German: Ego; In Finnish: Ego; In Spanish: Ego; In Italian: Ego; In Polish: Ego
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Ego'
In Buddhism, Ego is a label, not a true self. It's a mental fixation, a name the mind grasps, mistaken for a person's actual identity.
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) Holding on to this concept results in karma and afflictions, stemming from ignorance and leading to the creation of causes for suffering and the experience of its fruition.[1] (2) It is a concept that is believed by most people to be identical to a person, but in the Buddhist view, it is just a label, a mere name that the mind fixates upon and grasps.[2]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) Ego is considered the basis for the duality between subject and object; fundamentally, because there is no ego, its object cannot manifest, which is initiation into the non-dual Dharma.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Ego'
In Hinduism, Ego refers to the individual’s self-perception and identity derived from intellect. It embodies both individuality and universal existence, serving as an obstacle to spiritual truth while simultaneously reflecting the merging of personal and divine consciousness.
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The Ego produces the knowledge of "I am the Ego", but the mind is not the ego and is merely a creation of false imagination, which should be relinquished.[4] (2) A sense of self or individual identity that can lead to a firm belief in the reality of the material world. It contributes to the illusion of permanence.[5] (3) The subject of thoughts. The mind is one with it, and it is the living soul, according to the text.[6] (4) The existence of this within the Supreme spirit is what should be forgotten, according to the instruction given, and it is considered the best advice.[7] (5) It is strange that this ego, which has no reality, can take such control of your mind that you become unaware of yourself, according to the text.[8]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Part of that which is pervaded by Lakshmi, indicating self-identity and pride in beings.[9]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) According to the theory of pure selfish happiness, the 'EGO', the 'I' is the only focus of this world, and this 'I' is the sum and substance of all morality.[10]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The ego is described as the perceiver of all objects, it does not change as it is the witness of all changes, and the perceived objects are known to be illusory in comparison to it.[11] (2) The personal self, identified as an obstacle in the pursuit of truth according to both Western and Indian philosophical traditions.[12]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) This refers to the sense of self or 'I', which is dissolved in the Atman when one attains Samadhi.[13] (2) The ego arises from the identification with the body, representing the sense of self and playing a role in the perception of 'I', according to the provided description.[14]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Also known as Ahankara, it is identified as a potential origin of Tanmatras within the Sankhya philosophy.[15] (2) This is one of the four aspects of the inner organ, along with the mind, intellect, and Chitta, which is memory, as mentioned in the provided text.[16]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The sense of self that individuals identify with, which is related to and derives from the highest Self.[17]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The Ego represents the 'Self,' a sphere of existence that is opposed to the 'Thou' or the Non-Ego, and cannot be identified with it or its attributes.[18]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Also known as aham, it is something that cannot enter a certain realm.[19] (2) Ahankara represents the concept of self or ego identity.[20] (3) In this context, ego refers to the sense of self-importance or individuality associated with Yama-tirtha.[21]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) Said to make us one with the forces of Nature, and rulers of parts of the universe.[22]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) Sentiency can be associated with the ego, and the suffixes in question can express both real and attributed sentiency related to the ego.[23]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) In man, the revealing constituent of Prakriti Shakti (Sattvaguna) commences to more fully develop, and his consciousness is fully aware of the objective world and it.[24]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) The "ego" in man corresponds to Indra in the universe, drawing a parallel between the individual sense of self and a powerful cosmic entity, highlighting its significance within the human experience.[25]
Jain concept of 'Ego'
In Jainism, Ego, as explained to Brahman Svatidatta, can be interpreted as the soul itself, according to the Master.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Ego is considered to be the soul according to the Master, as explained to Brahman Svatidatta when questioned about the nature of the soul.[26]
The concept of Ego in local and regional sources
Ego refers to the sense of self that can create division and doubt, hindering spiritual realization. To connect with the universal self, as Sri Dilip seeks, one must transcend this self-centered aspect, allowing divine presence to emerge.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Ego surfaces in the author's thoughts when he considers himself superior to Darwin, but then questions whether the bug also possesses this characteristic.[27] (2) It can see just as much as the mind will allow it to see. If the mind be pure and transparent, the vision is clear; but if otherwise, the vision is blurred.[28] (3) It is different and numerous like bubbles and belongs to the body, not to the Self, but vanishes when an earnest enquiry is made into its identity.[29] (4) Freedom from this is required to realize the Self, and erasing this concept is a path towards dispelling ignorance and purging pollution, ultimately attaining Shiva-hood.[30] (5) The ego is described as deceptive and evasive, constantly engaging in a game of concealment, thus presenting itself as an untrustworthy entity.[31]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This represents the part of the self that seeks to rise up, and is like a serpent.[32] (2) The sense of self, which is a barrier to spiritual realization, and must be obliterated in order to attain a higher state of consciousness and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.[33] (3) The ego, a component of the self, is not the speaker's true identity, as indicated by the poem's declarations of what it is not.[34] (4) The false idea which hypnotizes man, and the ghost of which, when off from us, causes all dreams to vanish, according to the text.[35] (5) This must vanish, and in its place the Lord will come in, in order to be able to say with justice "Thou, Lord, art guarding all my actions from within."[36]
The concept of Ego in scientific sources
Ego, in this context, signifies prioritizing oneself above others in all interactions. It embodies the principle of "I come before the other," dictating relationships based on self-interest and precedence.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) The ego is the part of the psyche that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity; it is transformed through symbolic death.[37] (2) It is the center and content of consciousness. Its principal role is to serve as the gatekeeper to consciousness, which filters the innumerable experiences of an individual’s inner and outer worlds.[38] (3) The ego is the center of consciousness, while the Self is the center of both consciousness and the unconscious, with self-realization involving the ego receding as the Self emerges.[39] (4) All our relations with this of the other are conducted in accordance with the basic rule that “I come before the other”.[40]
From: Religious Inquiries (Journal)
(1) This is a condition that undergoes "death before death", leading toward the Jungian process of individuation, a process of self-transforming for the sake of self-completeness.[41] (2) Ego, defined as a sense of I, my, and mine, is described as the greatest malady man suffers from and the arch-enemy of Nam or path to God-Realization.[42]