✔ Post: The two Apsects of the Ego
by Atman Nityananda
E-Book: Liberation with the Power of Mantra
According the gunas the I’ or ego assumes three aspects: the sattvic ego, the rajasic ego and the tamasic ego.
However I prefer to classify the ego in two categories:
- The sattvic ego (or superior ego)
- the rajasotamasic ego (the inferior ego)
I prefer this classification because the rajasic and tamasic aspects of the ego are what impede us to live harmoniously and aware of our true nature, while the sattvic ego is what is helping us move from the darkness of materialism, the identification with the body and the lower mind, to the light of consciousness and the divine life.
These are not two separate or distinct egos but two aspects of the ego;
the higher one which is the harmonious, luminous, intelligent aspect and the lower one which is disharmonious, dysfunctional, ignorant and the cause of misery, pain and suffering. The lower ego is covering the sattvic ego like a cape in the same way that rust covers iron.
There are two kinds of Aham or Ahankara (Ego), viz., Suddha Aham (pure-sattvic ego) which identifies with Brahman (Sat-Chit-Ananda) and Asuddha Aham (impure-rajasotamsic ego) which identifies with the body.
~ Swami Sivananda
The Lower or Rajasotamasic aspect of Ego
The lower ego (of Rajasotamasic nature) causes our identification with the body and all other identifications (with thoughts, emotions, sensory impressions, persons, etc.), and is a sum of selfish tendencies such as pride, greed, lasciviousness, gluttony, envy, anger, fear, taste, disgust, hatred etc.
The rajasotamasic egoic mind lives in ignorance, identification, delusion and separation. It causes the feeling of separation from others, life, and Divine Consciousness.
The lower ego almost always evokes in us a feeling of dissatisfaction, insufficiency, lack, a sense of emptiness, boredom, and uneasiness, which we try in vain to overcome with pleasant or pleasurable sensory experiences.
All our illusions, misunderstandings, misconceptions, lower selfish desires, lower-negative emotions, selfishness, egoistic tendencies, self-destructive tendencies and perversions, along with misery, pain and suffering are caused by and related to the lower ego.
I clarify that the lower ego is the one that deceives us and causes disharmony, misery, suffering, and all kinds of illusions—not the sattvic one. It is the one that veils our true nature and prevents us from realizing that we are consciousness and can live in harmony, peace, love, freedom, and happiness.
That is why the main goal of spiritual practice is the dissolution of the lower ego—which is a bundle of small egos or, otherwise, egoic tendencies (pride, lust, greed, avarice, jealousy, anger, wrath, hatred, fear, gluttony, lasciviousness, likes, dislikes, discontentment, etc.).
Rajasic and Tamasic ego binds you to the wheel of births and deaths; Sattvic ego leads to liberation.
~ Swami Sivananda
The Higher or Sattvic aspect of Ego
The higher ego (of sattvic nature), contaminated by the rajas and tamas qualities, still functions deluded by nescience; however, it seeks happiness, knowledge, harmony, love, etc.
The sattvic ego, when it turns towards truth, becomes —along with the pure mind, pure intellect, and pure subconscious mind—the instrument for inner growth, transformation, awakening, and liberation.
The pure sattva is related to the “I Am,” which is beyond identification with the body and mind and is the purest form of individuality. The “I Am” is a mixture of pure sattva and the reflection of pure Consciousness on sattva. This mixture gives rise to the sense of existence and presence. However, it is not the ultimate reality. The Self (Atman, Consciousness) is the ultimate reality; however, the “I Am” is the key factor to stop identification with forms and connect with our inner silent awareness, peace, plenitude, and freedom.
In order to achieve liberation, the lower ego must be dissolved completely. Without the death of the lower ego there is neither enlightenment, nor liberation, nor self-realization. Awakening can happen before the total dissolution of the lower ego, but awakening it isn’t the end of the journey.
The liberated one (Jivnamukta) in order to be able to communicate his teachings to this 3 dimantion world, he must maintain his individuality; and according to the great masters (such as Swami Sivananda, Sri Ramana Maharshi and Amma) this happens because of a residue of the sattvic ego. This residue of the sattvic ego has nothing to do with the ego that causes the identifications, the attachments, the dysfunctions and the suffering; these happen due to the lower rajasotamasic ego.
The liberated has no identification of any kind and all egoic tendencies (pride, desires, greed, greed, jealousy, lasciviousness, gluttony, etc.) are dissolved forever. The Jivanmukta has no identification with his body, the mind, the senses, the objects, etc.
The liberated one is rooted and established in his essential nature (Atman, Consciousness) without having any kind of identity.
“Even in a Jivanmukta (Liberated) there is a slight trace of sattvic egoism. The Jivanmukta performs actions through this sattvic selfishness “
~ Swami Sivananda
🌺Peace, Love, Harmony
Repeat God’s name constantly
“The water to purify your heart is the name of God.” “Of utmost importance is to increase the repetition of God’s Name (japa) daily. In this way, your heart and mind will be purified, and only then will you find (realize) God within you.”
~ Haidakhan Babaji
- Liberation with the Power of Mantra
- DIE TO LIVE
- The Art of Living Non-duality Moment by Moment – In edition
The ‘secret’ to a plentiful life, a life of harmony, happiness and contentment is to have a sattvic mind free from desires and ego and to live in every moment in conscious contact with our true Self (Consciousness).
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony
atmannityanada 