Amma ~ the ego 'I' disappears

[Guest guest]

Another householder devotee requested clarification concerning Self-Realization:

" Amma, it is said that the 'I' will disappear when one attains Self-Realization.

How does that happen? "

 

" The 'I' ceases to exist when the mind attains perfect concentration, " the

Mother answered. " The feelings of 'I' and 'mine' are due to the ego. The ego is

nothing but identification with the body and mind. The mind is thoughts. When

thoughts are present, we remain a little ego. There is no spontaneous

expression. Everything is filtered through the ego. Through the narrow vision of

the little ego, we see only the waves of the sea. When thoughts are eradicated

through constant practice and concentration, the ego, 'I', disappears. When

through our concentration, the little ego is reduced to ashes, we become the

Limitless and Impersonal and can thus com¬prehend the Ocean of Bliss. The

remains of what looks like the ego will be there, but it is not real. It is not

productive.

 

" Ask a scholar, 'Sir, what is your opinion about this planet and the people on

it?' He will probably answer, 'This is a world full of useless fools!'

Furthermore, he will most probably feel that he is the only wise person on the

planet. Such a scholar has the most inflated 'little ego' you can find. He is a

man who sees only the waves. He cannot even take a peep at the Ocean of Bliss.

He can see only separate entities, only individuals, only dif¬ferences and

divisions. He cannot see the whole; he sees only the parts and pieces.

 

" Ask the same question of a Mahatma (great soul) and He will reply, 'There is

only the Self, nothing else. God alone exists. Everything is beautiful; all are

good and wise.' He beholds the Whole, the Oneness. The Mahatma experiences unity

in diversity, in everything, in all circumstances, irrespective of time and

place. For him everything is an extension of his own Self. He can¬not blame,

criticize or hate anyone. His small 'I' has dis¬appeared and he has become the

'big, impersonal I'. This state comes only when the ego disappears. In order to

attain this, one needs a one-pointed mind.

 

" God Himself will be the servant of the person who has gained one-pointedness of

mind. Mother guarantees this, children. You try and see what happens. "

 

The Mother's bold assurance struck the householder devotee with wonder. His eyes

were fixed on the Mother's face. After a short while, he said, " Amma, how do we

even begin ...? "

 

" Even while in the midst of numerous worldly problems, you children still think

of God and show great interest in doing spiritual practice. This in itself makes

Mother feel very happy. " The Mother's reassurance was encouraging.