What is Egotism

It Stands Between Us and God

Ego or egotism or egoism or Ahamkara is the self-asserting principle of the individual soul which gives him a sense of distinction., separation, differentiation, and puts up a barrier between himself and others. It is the ego which has created the idea of separateness from God. It is veiling power of Maya which keeps man in ignorance. It is the ego which is the root cause for all human sufferings and births and deaths.

This ego identifies itself with the body, mind, and senses. Wherever you find the play of egotism, there are mineness, selfishness, likes and dislikes, lust, anger, greed, hypocrisy, pride, jealousy, delusion, arrogance, conceit, impertinence, cravings, clinging to objects, attachment to name and form, the idea of agency or "doership" and "enjoyership". 

Sadhana is Utterly Useless

The process of the annihilation of egotism plays a major part in all spiritual practices. It is the barrier that must be pulverised if the individual soul has to merge in the cosmic whole. No amount of Sadhana will be of any use unless this is done. Cultivation of humility alone is not indicative of the eradication of egotism. It is a long process, and a very difficult one. 

Ways to Destroy the Ego

In Karma Yoga, it is done through self-effacing service of others, by placing the interests and the welfare of other people above one's own; in Bhakti Yoga, it is effected through self-surrender; in Raja Yoga, through merger of the individuality of the meditator in the meditated upon, i.e., God; in Jnana Yoga, it is attained through the realisation of the four Vedantic formulae: Aham Brahma Asmi, Tat Tvam Asi, Prajnanam Brahma, Ayam Atma Brahma.

Unless We Know What Ego Is, Its Destruction Is Nigh Impossible

You must have a very clear understanding of the nature of this ego, if you want to annihilate egoism. Killing of egoism is killing of mind. Destruction of thought, desires, cravings, mineness, selfishness, jealousy, pride, lust is really destruction of mind or egoism. Control of senses also is annihilation of the mind or egoism.

Beware: Ego Is Subtle

Egotism assumes various subtle forms. Gross egotism is not so dangerous as the subtle forms of egotism. Institutional egotism is a subtle form of attachment. The man identifies himself with the institution and gets himself attached to the institution or cult or creed. He forsakes broad-mindedness, catholicity, mental charity. 

The working of egotism is very mysterious. It is very difficult to detect its various ways of working. It needs a subtle and sharp intellect to find out its operation. If you practise introspection daily in silence you will be able to find out its mysterious ways of working.

Detecting Ego

This ego likes his own birthplace and province, the people of of the province, his own mother-tongue, his own relations and friends, his own ways of eating, mode of dressing, etc. It has its own predilections and preferences. It to associate its name and form with work done, even though its nature be spiritual.

This ego wants to exercise power and influence over others. It wants titles, prestige, status, respect, prosperity, house, wife and children. It wants self-aggrandisement. It wishes to domineer and rule over others. If anybody points out his defects its defects, its vanity feels offended. If anyone praises it, it is elated. Thus ego says: "I know everything; he does not know anything. What I say is quite correct; what he says is quite incorrect. He is inferior to me. I am superior to him." He forces others to follow his ways and views.

This ego will lurk like a thief when you do selfless service. It will induce you to associate your little self with the work you do. You will have to muster this ego through constant practice of self-subordination and humility with wisdom. 

Spiritual Egotism

One of the main objectives of Karma Yoga is the eradication of egotism. In the long run, if you happen to slacken your vigilance, you will be filled with the so-called spiritual egotism. You will not take interest in any form of work unless your name is associated with it. Even though you might wish to disseminate spiritual knowledge, you will be always desirous of self-glory and try to justify it through all sorts of childish arguments. Nothing can be worse in the life of a spiritual seeker. Therefore, be vigilant always. 

(pgs. 81-81, Every Man's Yoga by Swami Sivananda)