Understanding the ego and the true self

"Main kaun hoon?" this age-old question has echoed in the hearts of saints, sages, and seekers across Bharat for centuries.

- TDG NETWORK

To truly understand ourselves, we must first grasp the difference between the ego (ahankaar) and the true self (aatma).

THE MASK OF THE EGO

In our day-to-day lives, we often operate from our ego. It's that voice in our head that says, "I am this job title," "I am better than them," or "How dare they insult me?" The ego creates a false identity rooted in roles, achievements, possessions, and comparisons. It thrives on bhedbhav (discrimination), always creating separation—"I" versus "you," "mine" versus "theirs." But let's not be mistaken. Ego is not always about arrogance. Sometimes it wears the mask of low self-esteem or victimhood. Even the thought, "Why do these things always happen to me?" is a play of ego. Like maya (illusion), ego keeps us trapped in a web of false self-image.

THE TRUE SELF: AATMA KA PRAKASH