As you may be aware by reading through the Advaita literature, that a lot of advice is given on how it is important to kill the ego as the means of Self Realization. Let us look at this topic in our discussion today. The ego is nothing but the "I-thought" or the idea of being an individual. In fact, the ego and the mind are one and the same. Why? The first thought which is the basis of all other thoughts is the thought- "I". When the first person, I, arises, all other thoughts arise and are all linked to this primary thought - "I". Therefore, it is essential to decipher the source of this very first thought, or the "I- thought" as the way to realizing one's True Nature or Self Realization as it is called. The ego is the first person, the I, or the individual that one believes oneself to be. The ego makes one believe that he or she is a separate entity with substance and its own independent existence.
The very idea that you being the ego, will somehow go about and kill the ego is itself ludicrous. There is no doubt that the ego trying to kill itself would be a futile exercise since it would be similar to suicide, though not physically. Well, that is not the goal of Self Realization, certainly! If all who have Realized their Self would be dead, then there should have been no one to pass on this Knowledge to others? As Ramana Maharshi has said, the ego trying to kill the ego is similar to a thief pretending to be the policeman and wanting to catch the thief. There can be nothing more ridiculous. But, despite this very obvious statement, many a seeker still wants to be deluded into believing that somehow the ego can be controlled or killed. Because of this misunderstanding, the seeker will try to somehow seek out a method (or sadhana) to do so. After going around in circles, as would be not surprising considering the very nature of the goal in mind, the seeker becomes frustrated and helpless. Many others will say that Advaita teaching is impractical and still others may say that it is a fatalistic philosophy. Unfortunately, many a seeker has been led astray because of misunderstanding of the teachings.
This statement about the ego needs clarification for many. The ego cannot and should not be sought out for destruction in some way. Instead, it is essential for one to find out if the ego has any existence apart from the consciousness. Does the ego have any substance or independent nature apart from consciousness? Is it not true that you have to be conscious to know you exist as an individual? In this realm of consciousness, the idea of being a first person- "I", arises. This "I" is nothing but the thought- I, or the ego. A thought has no substance. Look for it and SEE for yourself. A thought has no substance and has no independent existence apart from consciousness. When there are no thoughts including the "I-thought", you still exist. Try it and see. Stop all thoughts even for a moment. You do not fall apart.
When sincerely inquired into, the ego is like a ghost. It vanishes like the ghost which never existed in the first place. And yet, there is no denying that there is awareness or the sense of being without being this or that. This stillness, which is pure beingness, is experienced by all when the "I-thought" subsides, however transient it may be. So, the question finally arises, why and how would you want to kill something that doesn't exist? Why kill the ego when it is unreal and has no existence apart from consciousness? Why not instead investigate and find out the nature of the ego and realize that it is like a ghost? How can you kill a ghost? So, give up the idea of killing the ego or the mind, and instead focus on inquiring into the nature of the ego or the mind.
