Surrender Is the Key

The biggest enemy of a person is the ego. The ego says: I am something, I have something, I can do something.
This ego becomes the greatest barrier to experiencing ultimate bliss.

But why is it such a big barrier? Let’s explore this in the article.

The Trap of Ego

When something higher identifies itself with something lower, it gets trapped in it.
Similarly, we are part of the supreme entity, yet we identify ourselves with smaller things that have limits. Because of this, we live in a narrow world created by our own thinking.

If we remove these limits, we can step beyond our small world and experience the supreme reality.

Here are a few analogies of our great mistake:

A mighty river forgetting its source and thinking it is just a small pond.
A king’s child wandering in rags, forgetting that he belongs to a royal family.

We too forget our true nature when we identify only with our body, wealth, or position.

How to Get Rid of Ego

The answer is simple: Surrender.

We try to control people, things, and the environment. But we do not realize that we cannot even control our own breath.
We cannot stop our thirst or hunger. We are bound by the natural patterns of the body. Still, we want to control the universe. This is the work of ego, which keeps whispering: I am something, I have something, I can do something.

The Meaning of Surrender

Surrender means developing this understanding:
I am nothing, I have nothing, I do nothing.

This does not mean that we stop acting. No one can stop!
We all have to breathe, drink water, eat food, and live our daily lives.

The meaning is: even while doing everything, we should know that the power behind all action is not us, but the supreme entity.

A Practical Approach to Surrender

Focus on your breath. Notice that every few seconds you are bound to inhale. You are not in control, life is happening through you.
Connect with the supreme all the time. The simplest way is to continuously chant His name.
See the supreme in everyone. Bow inwardly to all.

Tulsidas expresses this beautifully in the Ramcharitmanas:

सीय राममय सब जग जानी। करउँ प्रनाम जोरि जुग पानी॥
Meaning: “I see the entire world pervaded with Sita and Ram. So I bow down to all with folded hands.”