Understanding the Ego: The Wrong Identification of “I”

In earlier reflections, we understood the mind and the role of intelligence. But a deeper question now arises: who is the one using the mind? Who is this “I” that says, “my thoughts”, “my body”, “my life”? This enquiry leads us to understand the ego—not as arrogance, but as a mistaken identity.

Table of Contents

1. What Do We Mean by “I”?
2. The Identification with the Body
3. The Changing Body, the Unchanging Presence
4. Why This Identification Feels Real
5. The Expansion of “I” into “Mine”
6. The Role of Intelligence in Seeing This
7. Why This Is Difficult to Break
8. A Shift Begins
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

We say many things in daily life:

• my body
• my thoughts
• my life
• my wife
• my children

But who is this “I” that refers to all of these?

This question appears simple, but it goes to the root of how we live.

Because most of our life is based on one assumption:

I am this body.

This assumption is so deep that it is rarely questioned.

What is ego?
The ego is the identification of “I” with the body, mind, and possessions. It creates the sense of “I” and “mine,” making us believe we are limited to our physical and mental identity, rather than the deeper, unchanging presence within.

1. What Do We Mean by “I”?

When we say “I”, what do we actually refer to?

In most situations, “I” means:

• this body
• this personality
• this role in life

But this needs to be examined carefully.

Because what we refer to as “I” keeps changing.

2. The Identification with the Body

From birth, we begin to identify with the body.

The body:

• is born
• grows
• interacts with the world
• is sustained by food

All experiences seem to happen through it.

Because of this, the identification becomes natural:

I am this body.

This is not consciously chosen. It is formed gradually.

3. The Changing Body, the Unchanging Presence

If we observe closely, the body is continuously changing.

• the body was that of a child
• then it became young
• then it took on responsibilities
• and later, it grows old and dies

Every stage is different.

The body keeps changing throughout life.

And yet, something remains constant.

The sense of “I”.

This “I” has remained present through all changes.

It is not changing in the same way the body is.

4. Why This Identification Feels Real

Even though the body keeps changing, the identification with it feels very real.

Because all interactions happen at the level of the body.

Over time, this becomes a strong conditioning.

All this happens through the interaction of the mind with the external world.

5. The Expansion of “I” into “Mine”

Once “I” is identified with the body, another movement begins.

“I” expands into “mine”.

• my house
• my family
• my position
• my wealth

This creates a sense of ownership.

6. The Role of Intelligence in Seeing This

At some point, a different kind of understanding begins.

Maybe I am not merely the body.

This clarity begins through intelligence.

7. Why This Is Difficult to Break

This identification is not easy to dissolve.

Because it has been reinforced over a lifetime.

8. A Shift Begins

The moment one begins to question:

“Am I only this body?”

A shift has begun.

This naturally deepens into the enquiry, Who Am I.

9. Conclusion

The ego is not something separate that we need to remove.

It is simply a mistaken identification.

If I am not the body, then who am I?

This question is not to be answered immediately, but to be observed, as in self enquiry.