187-Why do I have to overcome my ego? - Buddhism in daily life

Why do I have to overcome my ego?


From most religions we know the fact that the individual should
refrain from his egoistic behavior for the good of the group, for
this there are then rules, commandments and laws.


In Chan (Zen) Buddhism, too, the abandonment of the ego is a
central issue. In some groups the students are frustrated by the
master, occupied with (unsolvable) tasks in order to achieve
detachment from worldliness.


But even the frustration usually leads to attachments, very
rarely to the final abandonment of the ego. Neither thinking "I
am the greatest", nor the humble notion "I am nothing", none of
these will release the ego into oblivion.


Constantly thinking about it, by the way, will not either, nor
will the learned behavior patterns bring the thought palace to
rest, no, only walking the path will bring clarity. He who no
longer cares about evaluations, no longer divides into "right" or
"wrong", will approach his goal in any case.


Thinking about overcoming the ego is comparable to the stimulus
of coughing that we want to suppress (for example in the
theater), the thought of coughing quickly becomes overwhelming,
the situation only gets better when the stimulus subsides. So it
is with overcoming the ego, which can only take place when it
itself no longer receives attention.


To "not" think of something is incomparably more difficult than
to think of something. If the one thought constantly wants to go
through the head, then it is difficult to stop it.


It is important for this that the thought is replaced by another
one, that the thought palace is given something to replace it.
This is where the concept of "enlightenment" that Buddha
recommended to his followers comes in quite handy.


Have you ever thought about your "awakening"? What might that be,
the attainment of another sphere, or immortality, or wisdom? What
do you think? It is clear that "enlightenment" is the essence of
Buddhist philosophy, that the individual should think about this
core issue.


And how can "enlightenment" be achieved? Well, relatively simply,
the seeker sets out on the path to his goal, beginning with a
decision. Then, in a further step, the ego must be switched off,
or trimmed to a reasonable measure.


The ego is the central point in the teachings of the sublime, who
still values, or has material thoughts, has not yet progressed
far enough to go through the gateless gate. The ego can cause
wars, it can kill and enslave, it is a big problem almost with
every human being.


The way is the goal!


Among the ideals that can lift a person above himself and his
environment, eliminating worldly desires, eradicating sloth and
sleepiness, vanity and low esteem, overcoming fearfulness and
restlessness, and renouncing ill-will are among the most
essential ones.


- Buddha - honorary name of Siddharta Gautama - 560 to 480 before
the year zero


Copyright: https://shaolin-rainer.de


(Please also download my app "Buddha-Blog
English" from the Apple and Android stores)