The greatest enemy our organization and we ourselves have is nothing but our ego, our own pride.
If we still think of protecting our reputation, our demeanor, so that people would think that we are benign, then our ego is still very big, not totally free from its preconceptions.
We are often tempted because we like the feeling of personal success. If we have a small ego and a willingness to sacrifice, if we don't care about whether others praise or approve us or not, then the power of temptation will not affect us so much, and we will not fall so easily under trails.
To progress faster in spiritual practice, we must forget ourselves; be the lowliest person and do the dirtiest, the most unwanted work.
Wherever we are, endeavor to merge ourselves into the multitude. Not that we have to abandon our personal taste, but that we should forsake our ego, the grudging mind, the aversion to cooperate, and our arrogant perceptions; then we will be happy.
The sense of self limits everything. You cannot contain the limitless if you are limited. That's the logic of it. In order to become limitless we have to practice "self-losing", must practice the ever-present power of God. One must reserve some time daily to contact with this Word.
An enlightened person has no ego in his deeds. He's just natural. Therefore, we have no pressure and feel comfortable when we are close to him. Problems arise only when we do things for show.
You think of the greatness of the universe and all the things in the universe, that you have not been able to understand, that you know nothing about the universe, about the law of God, then you will feel very small.
Whatever the worldly knowledge we gain is so small. Whatever important business we have, it is so ephemeral. And then when we die, we have nothing. So better get enlightened. The more you are enlightened, the more humble you become, because you see that you know so little, that the universe is so great. And then you are more humble, more humble, until you are the most humble person. Then you admit that you know nothing. And then you know everything.
That's why Lao Tzu said, The wise are like the dumb. That's why Jesus said, I work, but not I. It's the father who works in me. He is so great but he knows he can't do nothing without the Father. He knows he can't do nothing. That is why he can do everything.
The next level is that of the soul, of self-realization, because we identify ourselves with the soul. We know that we and our soul, the source of inspiration and happiness, are one and the same and we know that we are not the body. We try to help the world and to help ourselves. But this is not the highest level, because we still have the ego and it knows its strength. Even when we say I and my Father are One, it makes two, and it is still too crowded! (Levels of existence)