What exactly is the ego? As far as nonduality is concerned, it doesn’t matter.
Ego is simply a word, E-G-O. It’s been used to mean tons of different things. It’s been used so much that preisely defining it is impossible now.
So what is it then? Why do we talk incessantly about it? It’s because it’s a useful word to describe our sense of self. When you have a big ego you have this big inflated sense of self. If you have a small, broken ego, then you have a broken sense of self. As far as nonduality is concerned, this sense of a separate self is the thing that we’re trying to overcome, to get rid of, to step beyond or behind.
As far as nonduality is concerned, if you look at this thing that we call ego, this sense of self that you have inside of you, if you look directly at it then it disappears because it doesn’t exist.
So how can you look at it if it doesn’t exist? That’s the secret right there. When you’re actually looking at this thing, this separate sense of self, the only way you can look at it is to know who is looking. And right there is the secret of nonduality. The second you become master of yourself, then you can see this false concept that’s been running your life, and it steps back and disappears.
As long as you don’t know who you are, this separate sense of self, this ego, feels like it’s running your life. It’s the thing that’s making the choices for you. It’s a habitual robot that runs on outside stimulation. It’s like having the opinion of everyone else running your life. The ego is your internal sense of this opinion that’s going on.
The second you actually look at it, knowing who is looking at it, then it’s not real.
So does it exist? Yes, because it rules us, right?
Does it exist? No. The second you know who you are, then the ego is not a cage anymore.
From the point of view of nonduality the ego is a thing you shouldn’t worry about. That’s what it is. Don’t worry about all these definitions of ego. Quit worrying about that. Instead, work at feeling your connection to illusion. You’re a fully connected being that’s alive and vibrant. And this is what we’re looking to find.
So what exactly is the ego? It’s nothing worth worrying about.