One common goal of religions is to overcome the ego and awaken to reality. Ordinary egocentric reality is considered to be a trancelike succession of automatic impulses and attachments and thus the concept of overcoming the ego is a common theme in many religions and spiritual traditions. While the specific teachings and practices may vary, the general message revolves around recognizing and transcending the ego or the self-centeredness of the individual in order to attain spiritual growth, enlightenment, or a closer connection with the divine. This also allows for the cultivation of qualities such as mindfulness, humility, and selflessness, all of which contribute to improving society and human flourishing.
“Consume the egotistical veils with the fire of oneness, sincerely for the sake of God.”
– Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í prophet
“This māyā, that is to say, the ego, is like a cloud. The sun cannot be seen on account of a thin patch of cloud; when that disappears one sees the sun. If by the grace of the guru one’s ego vanishes, then one sees God.”
– Sri Ramakrishna, Hindu saint
“To return to the observance of the rites through overcoming the self constitutes benevolence […] However, the practice of benevolence depends on oneself alone, and not on others.”
– The Analects, Confucian text
“In the end, we are very minor blips in a cosmic story. Aspirations for importance and significance are the illusions of the ignorant”
– L. James March, Stanford university
