An insight into "ego"

 

Ego is an impediment for a leader, a wise man, a merchant, or a servant, but it is required for a warrior and a competitor. A warrior takes on challenges and commitments and stands by them. 

Ego makes you sacrifice yourself for a cause. Ego gives strength and courage and brings valor to meet challenges with endurance and perseverance. A strong ego will counteract depression. 

Ego is often considered selfish, but it is the greatest motivating factor for creativity and generosity. Ego propels you to venture into the unknown. 

There are three types of ego – sattvic, rajasic and tamasic. Tamasic ego is barbaric, blind and self-destructive. Rajasic ego is self-centered and causes misery to oneself and others. Sattvic ego is creative and has protective tendencies. If you cannot surrender, at least have a sattvic ego, as a sattvic ego is always ready to sacrifice.

Memory is both a blessing and a hindrance

 

Being forgetful of your nature is the root cause of all problems and suffering in life. But the very remembrance of your nature, which is godliness, brings freedom. 

Here memory is your best friend. The purpose of knowledge is to remind you of your true nature. In the Bhagwad Gita, Arjuna said to Krishna, “My memory is back. Now I have realized my true nature and will do as you say.” 

Memory is a blessing and is your best friend when it helps you realize your true nature. Memory is a hindrance when it does not let you be free of events, pleasant or unpleasant. 

Pleasant events create cravings and competition in the mind and do not allow fresh experiences. Unpleasant events bias perception and create paranoia. 

So, memory is both a blessing and a hindrance depending on whether you remember your nature or whether you are stuck with events in time and space.