The ego is our constant companion. Sometimes it even subsumes our identity if we are not careful. Tagore’s masterful poem illustrates our struggle with the ego:
I came out alone on my way to my tryst.
But who is this that follows me in the silent dark?
I move aside to avoid his presence but I escape him not.
He makes the dust rise from the earth with his swagger;
he adds his loud voice to every word I utter.
He is my own small self, my Lord, he knows no shame:
but I am ashamed to come to Your door in his presence.
– Rabindranath Tagore
You may also like: Give Me Strength!