Ego – The Greatest Obstacle
We all want to grow — to become more centered, more peaceful, more free. But no matter how many books we read or teachings we encounter, there’s often one thing quietly holding us back: the ego.
It’s subtle. It’s slippery. And it shows up in ways we don’t always recognize — a need to be right, a desire to be seen, resistance to feedback, or even pride in our “spiritual progress.” It’s the voice inside that says, “I already know,” or “I’m better than this.” It’s not evil — it’s just misidentification. The ego mistakes our temporary roles and achievements for who we truly are.
In one of his final teachings, Sri Adi Shankara, one of India’s greatest sages, addressed this very issue through a powerful text called the Sadhana Panchakam — five concise verses that distill the essence of spiritual practice.
He gave these teachings to his disciples just before leaving his physical body — a kind of spiritual legacy. And in them, he emphasizes one point again and again: until we recognize and dissolve the ego, we cannot be truly free.
The ego is like a fog over a clear lake. The lake itself — our true Self — is always calm, vast, and pure. But when the fog thickens, we forget what’s underneath. We get caught in stories — my success, my failure, my opinion, my pain. And these stories, while often compelling, are not the whole truth.
Shankara reminds us that freedom doesn’t come from collecting more knowledge — it comes from living with awareness. It’s not enough to read or memorize verses. The real transformation happens when we pause, reflect, and look inward with honesty. When we ask: Who is this “I” that is so busy trying to prove something?
The Sadhana Panchakam offers very practical steps — study the scriptures, serve the teacher, observe your mind, restrain your senses, reduce desires. But all these practices lead to one core realization: the ego is not your identity. It's just a temporary bundle of thoughts.
This is not about rejecting the world or our responsibilities. It’s about doing everything — from work to worship — without ego clinging to the outcome. When we let go of that grip, something beautiful happens. We become lighter. Quieter. Clearer.
Even if you're not ready to dissolve the ego completely (and most of us aren't), just becoming aware of how it operates is powerful. Notice when it flares up in daily life — in traffic, in meetings, in family dynamics. That noticing is the beginning of liberation.
So the next time you find yourself caught in a spiral of pride, fear, or comparison, try this: pause and ask gently, “Who is this ‘I’ that is reacting right now?” Not to shame yourself, but to remember: you are not the fog. You are the lake.
And in that remembrance, the journey home begins.