In the Verse 24 of “Reality in Forty Verses”, Ramana Maharshi says that neither the insentient body says “I”, nor the sentient, self-effulgent, ever-present Consciousness says “I”. Between them, the Ahamkara (ego-self) rises as “I” and ties both of them together and it is known as Chit-Jada Granthi (Sentient-Insentient Knot). This knot needs to be cut using Viveka, the sword of reasoning and discrimination. The non-emergence of the egoistic “I” is the pure state of being. To destroy the ego, the source of its emergence has to be sought by digging deep and turning the mind inwards. Then the Ahamkara (ego-self) subsides and the experience of the Self emerges as the real “I” – “I” – “I”.
Arun Kumar, Author of “Pearls of Vedic Wisdom to Succeed” on Quora
Tag: Ego
Inwardly be free of all hopes and desires, but outwardly do what needs to be done. Without hopes in your heart, live as if you were full of hopes. Live your heart now cool and now warm, just like every one else. Inwardly give up the idea ‘I am the doer’, yet outwardly engage in all activities. This is how to live in the world, completely free from the least trace of ego.
-Maharamayana
The individual ‘I’ exists for as long as there is desire for pleasure.
– Maharamayana
As long as there is a ‘who’ asking the questions, that ‘who’ will continue to remain puzzled.
– Ramesh Balsekar
Who are you when all the things that feed your ego fall away?
-butterfliesrising.com