Philosophy Series: “Happy is He Who has Overcome His Ego” by Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha
Hasan Mahmud –
Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, is regarded as one of history’s most influential spiritual figures. He was a royal by birth in the modern-day nation of Nepal, but after seeing the suffering in the world, he decided to abandon his privileged existence in search of enlightenment. He finally attained enlightenment and transformed into the Buddha after spending many years in meditation and reflection.
According to the Buddha, the ego is one of the primary sources of misery in the world. The ego is a feeling of self that is distinct from others and is always looking for fulfillment, dominance, and attention. It creates an illusion of a permanent, unchanging self and causes people to cling to their desires and possessions. This clinging leads to attachment, which in turn leads to suffering.
Buddha also taught that letting go of the ego is the only way to end suffering. He compared the ego to a bubble that is continuously expanding and contracting to fulfill its needs. The ego is the root of all of our issues because it fuels unrelenting hunger, rage, and ignorance.
The Buddha advised developing mindfulness, knowledge, and compassion to defeat the ego. The practice of mindfulness involves paying close attention to the current moment while objectively observing our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Knowing the fundamental nature of reality, that everything is undergoing perpetual change, and that there is no permanent self, is wisdom. Having compassion means acting with loving kindness and believing that all living things are worthy of pleasure and love.
According to the Buddha’s teachings, these 3 techniques can aid in our awakening to the true nature of reality and aid us in seeing through the ego’s delusions:
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We can learn to be mindful of our thoughts and feelings without becoming sucked into them by engaging in mindfulness exercises. We may see that our ideas and feelings are only transient things that come and go, not who we are.
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We can grasp that there is no permanent self and that the ego is only a mental construct through developing wisdom. We are all connected and can see that everything is continually changing. This knowledge can assist us in letting go of our attachment to our goods as well as our need for admiration and authority.
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We can recognize that all beings are equal and deserving of love and pleasure if we practice compassion. We can observe that everyone experiences suffering differently and that our suffering is not unique. With this knowledge, we can view the world kindlier and lovingly and develop empathy and compassion for others.
The Buddha asserted that once the ego is defeated, we can experience inner tranquility and bliss. He asserted that when we are liberated from the ego’s delusions, we can view the world for what it is and achieve true happiness and contentment. He claimed that achieving this degree of enlightenment requires internal cultivation and cannot be accomplished by the use of external methods.
Hence, the ego must be subdued by practicing awareness, wisdom, and compassion to transcend pain. When the ego is defeated, we can achieve a condition of inner tranquility and joy and become aware of the real nature of reality. He who has conquered his ego and attained the peace and joy that result from being liberated from the ego’s illusions is truly happy.
