Aptavani-6
25
Protection of the Ego
Questioner: You said that speech comes out through the
ego.
Dadashri: It is like this – there is nothing wrong with
speaking; speech is a code word. It gets expressed and the sounds
come out, but you should not protect or defend (rakshan) speech.
Questioner: Does ‘not protecting speech’ mean that one
should not feel, ‘I am right in what I said?’
Dadashri: ‘I am right’ is the protection (rakshan). There
is nothing wrong if there is no protection. It will not hurt anyone.
When you protect your ego, then it hurts the other person.
A little child will not feel hurt even if I were to spank him
a lot, but if you were to merely tap him in anger it will make him
cry profusely. Therefore, the child does not get upset because
of physical pain but because his ego is hurt.
The scripture writers have said that the ego is such an
attribute that it makes everyone completely blind. It creates enmity
even among brothers. It will make one think and wish for financial
ruin of his own brother; even a father will wish that his son be
reduced to nothing. What damage can the ego not do? Therefore,
one should recognize and understand, ‘What is the significance
of this ego within, as far as my welfare is concerned?’
Questioner: But do we not need the ego to do our
work?
Dadashri: The ego to do the work is always there. Who
says no to that ego? But you should recognize and have the
understanding of the ego that has caused so much havoc and
thereafter you will have no attraction or love for it.
Questioner: What should I do when the other person
does not improve, no matter how hard I try?