________________
REALIZE WHAT YOU ARE:
ego and that he or she is not aware of himself or herself. It is as though they have drunk alcohol; they lose their sense of balance spiritually, and they fall down and utter meaningless words.
The ego is a very subtle form of intoxication. It is very difficult to cross and go beyond. It is a thin veil whose nature is opaque; sometimes we may see through it to the other side and we know we are being held back by it, but still we cannot go beyond it.
The deeper meaning of meditation is to overcome the ego which holds us back and makes us miserable. Even within a family, between husband and wife, parents and children, when ego makes people take a stand, they won't budge an inch When ego comes, love departs. In its wisdom, love will never remain in the presence of ego; it leaves immediately, saying, “You finish first. Then I shall return." You must decide what you shall give up, ego or love. When the thought "I am something" comes, then ask, “What am I?
In order to advance you must break with the old patterns. Do not worry about what others may say or how they may judge you. George Bernard Shaw had three lines of response. when people told him of his critics' words. “What do they say? Do they say that? Let them say it!" With this simple reply he would free himself of all concern over petty criticism. In meditation we stop collecting the opinions of others. Instead we obtain direct insight into ourselves. Whether we receive a compliment or harsh criticism, we do not become upset because we understand that we know ourselves better than anyone else can.
