Dissolving the Ego

Cont'd from page 3

This is why we feel such a natural draw toward creatures with no ego. Even from a secular perspective, people recognize the value of diminishing the ego. They see that attachment to desires leads to unhappiness, and that peace comes when the ego is quiet.

“The horse has no ego. Its owner may be rich or poor, tall or short, young or old — the horse serves them all. The dog has no ego; it wags its tail regardless of its owner’s status. The sun rises and sets precisely as God commands. The moon follows its orbit without deviation. Even the human body — a temporary garment — submits to God. Our hearts, lungs, kidneys, and organs perform their functions without our control.” [Introduction to Quran The Final Testament]

The ego, however, is arrogance augmented by ignorance. Arrogance is an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance — the same way humans once believed everything revolved around the earth, we sometimes believe everything revolves around us. Ignorance is simply a lack of accurate knowledge. God created this test so we could gain knowledge and correct our past decision.

 

We want to reach the state described in 6:162: “Say: My contact prayers, my worship practices, my life and my death are all devoted absolutely to God alone, the Lord of the universe.”

Satan duped Adam and Eve and caused their eviction (2:36). We see in 7:22, he duped them with lies. To be “duped” means to be deceived into harming yourself. Satan told them God only forbade the tree to prevent them from becoming angels. Yet God sent them down with guidance and a promise: whoever follows His guidance will not go astray nor suffer misery (20:123).

God always provides a path back. We want to be present, conscious, aware. We don’t want to be “duped” by our egos.

One writer compares the ego to darkness. You cannot push darkness out of a room. You simply bring in light. Likewise, you cannot “fight” the ego — you bring awareness of God, and the ego dissolves.

Signs that God is dissolving our ego include:

· We stop seeking validation from people.
· Criticism no longer wounds us.
· We feel gratitude even in hardship.
· Worship feels intimate, not mechanical.
· We prefer anonymity in good deeds.
God is always near and responsive (11:61).

[34:50] Say, “If I go astray, I go astray because of my own shortcomings. And if I am guided, it is because of my Lord’s inspiration. He is Hearer, Near.”

In 6:59, He reminds us that not a leaf falls without His knowledge. When we try to control what belongs to God, we fall into arrogance. The planet is spinning, galaxies are functioning, the cosmos is stable — yet one negative thought can ruin our day. We live in a psychological space disconnected from reality.

God says in 6:43 that when tests afflict people, they should implore Him. In 30:30, He reminds us of the natural instinct of monotheism placed within us. When we seek love or validation from others, it never fills us. Some needs can only be fulfilled by God.

[2:165] ...Those who believe love GOD the most…

There is no god but God. Worshiping God alone allows us to have our egos dissolved.

Kill Your Ego

[2:54] Recall that Moses said to his people, “O my people, you have wronged your souls by worshiping the calf. You must repent to your Creator. You shall kill your egos. This is better for you in the sight of your Creator.” He did redeem you. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.

Rizwan