Ego is the essential part of our existence that identifies us and separates us from the universe. But are we separate? The universe starts at one point and expands outward as far as we can imagine. So does ego. It starts with self and stamps its existence on all things we consider ours. It leads to possessions, to pride, and to unhappiness. Why must we, as individuals, want to stamp a part of what belongs to the universe as ours? What is the need for such a craving? Or, is it done subconsciously?
Why must a grain of rice that carries the same taste as any other grain of rice want to be different? Together with other grains, it helps bring flavour, taste, colour, and texture to the dish. Together with the other grains, it can serve the purpose of feeding someone; on its own it won’t succeed.
What then is the purpose of a grain of rice?
It is the same as that of a full dish—to feed someone.
The other purpose is to give birth to another grain that will grow into a rice plant someday and feed someone else. Why then do we think each one of us is different? We are individuals that are working towards one purpose. Why then must we bring ego to life?
Ego may appear to give us confidence but it is always related to hurt. We extend ourselves beyond our boundaries and step onto somebody else’s ego. This starts a fight that results in hurt.
We must keep ego to a minimum as it prevents us from doing greater good.
We are all a tiny part of the same universe.
We are a part of the universe as much as it is a part of us. Then why let our ego become so big that it overshadows all happiness in our lives?
自我
自我是人存在的基本組成部分，讓我們從宇宙間識別並分隔開。但我們真的被被分隔嗎？宇宙由一點開始，向外擴展至我們的想像極限也不停止。自我亦是如此。它由「我」開始，在所有認定屬於我們的東西留下足印。它導致物質佔有、驕傲，和不快樂。為什麼要我們作為人，要去霸佔那屬於宇宙的？如此強烈的渴望是為什麼？或者，它在潛意識中進行嗎？
一粒味道與其它相同的大米有必要希望自己與眾不同嗎？ 與其它米粒一起，它為菜式帶來色香味和質感。與其它米粒一起，它具有替別人充饑的用途；它只憑自己不會獲得成功。
那麼一粒米又有什麼用途？
和一整盤的米一樣，用作供人填飽肚子。
另一個用途是要生出另一粒穀物，有一天成長為一粿水稻，再養活別人。那麼為什麼我們認為每個人與別不同？我們都正努力實現各自目的。那麼有必要把自我帶進生命中嗎？
自我表面上給予我們信心，但它總是與傷害有關。我們超越自己的界限，並踐踏別人的自我。這將造成傷害性的鬥爭。
我們必須將自我降至最小，因為它妨礙貢獻大我。
大家都是同一個宇宙的小小部分。
我們是宇宙的一部分，正如它是我們的一部分一樣。那麼，為何把自我放得如此大，掩蓋了原本在我們生命中的所有幸福？