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vents us from experiencing the gentle, soothing light of the soul.
This ego is man's constant companion, whether he is praying or whether he goes on a pilgrimage. It is whispering into his ear even when he is giving in charity. It makes him keen with desire to have his name on a plaque, or have it associated with some charitable institution.
This ego is a kind of dirt which clings tenaciously to man. He can experience happiness only when he is cleansed of this dirt. A man can experience the true joy, the thrill of giving, when he gives in charity, not following the dictates of his ego, but because he wants to give. He will then add something to his spiritual dimension, instead of inflating his ego.
Even a man who gives a sermon, very often, will indirectly ask for compliments from the audience. “Well, how was my discourse today? Did it not go straight to the heart? Did it not strengthen your moral fibre?” And thus he will try to feed his ravenous ego. And the audience?—they will not let him down, they will rise to the occasion, they will praise his eloquence and his sagacity and thus nurture his ego
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