Murshid Hidayat Inayat-Khan
Training the Ego
The training of the ego does not require a life of renunciation. Training the ego could be understood as being a test of balance and of wisdom, specially when considering what could be the regrettable consequences in obtaining satisfaction. Such a training also implies the understanding of the reason behind a desire, and whether that desire is a righteous one, or an unjust one.
Obviously, under the spell of a desire, one’s awareness of justice, logic and duty is veiled by the grip of the ego, and in that state of mind, one judges according to one’s best interests. One then reasons from the point of view of selfishness, and one’s feelings for duty are darkened by one’s own all-pervading image.
The ego is one’s life’s force alike the steam in a powerful engine, which carries the train onwards, but rails are also required for securing a safe route to follow, alike the training of the ego, which secures successful achievements in all daily - life’s involvements.
