To overcome ego, drop the E and let it go
The other day as I entered the college gate a meaningful message caught my eye. It was the thought for the day but has stayed with me much longer. The message on the whiteboard read: Ego is the root of all problem. Drop the E and let it go.
The message was steeped in wisdom so I immediately clicked its photo with the aim to store it in my heart, and mind, forever.
Most of the problems that confront mankind simply spring from the ego. In order to satisfy one’s ego, man has turned against his own brethren and become their worst enemy.
Unfortunately, there are examples galore in history to corroborate this statement. It was an ego clash between the Kauravas and Pandavas that led to the epic war of Mahabharata. In Ramayana, it was Lanka king Ravana’s ego and stubbornness that drove him to kidnap Sita and then refuse to return her to her husband, Lord Rama. Ultimately, it led to his fall despite all the wisdom he possessed.
German dictator Adolf Hitler’s self-destructive idea of purity of his race was steeped in his foolish ego, which cost the world dear as many innocent lives were lost in the Second World War.
The current issue of Kashmir too has been caught in the ego of two neighbouring nations.
Ego is a psychological problem that often blunts the power of thinking and reasoning of a human being. It’s what we think we know that keeps us from learning, growing, expanding and thriving.
A man bitten by the ego bug stops listening to the voice of logic and starts behaving in an irrational manner. Often sportspersons get caught in the ugly snare of ego. They start doing all sorts of things that otherwise do not behove their stature. Celebrities, especially film stars who ride the wave of popularity and success, badmouth journalists and their fans. Politicians don’t lag behind on this count. Intoxicated by power, they forget to accord respect to the very people who vote them to power. Their uncouth behaviour towards the voters springs out of their unrestrained ego.
Ego is a disease. Money and power add muscle to it. Terrorism has threatened the existence of mankind on this planet and has been directly or indirectly linked to the false notion of superiority of a race or a particular religion.
Ego has to be given up to resolve conflicts that bog down mankind. If ego is not contained, it can have serious consequences for humanity. Man is mortal. He has to leave this world one day. So there is no fun sticking to the self-destructive time bomb of ego.
EGO IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM THAT OFTEN BLUNTS THE POWER OF THINKING AND REASONING OF A HUMAN BEING