Understanding the Ego

A questioner is interested in understanding the ego and its role in self-recognition. He asks Rupert why, even though the ego is an illusion, it is essential to the process of self-transcendence.

Rupert explains that something that is an illusion is real, but it is not what it appears to be. Something that is not real is something that has no existence even as an illusion. There is no value in investigating what is unreal but there is value in investigating an illusion. If one makes a deep investigation of an illusion, it leads to its reality.

That's why when Ramana Maharshi was asked which self are we inquiring into when we do self-inquiry, the illusory self or the real self? he said it doesn't matter, just inquire into whatever you think yourself to be. Because if you go far enough into whatever you believe yourself to be, you will eventually end up with reality — the true and only self of infinite awareness.

*This video is taken from one of Rupert's in-person retreats at Castello di Titignano – 20th to 29th August, 2023. To view and book for upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:

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