#198 The FALSE Me - The REAL Me

In this talk we will explore an extremely important topic for anyone who wants to understand yoga and self-realization.   

The subject is a bit esoteric and may be difficult for some to grasp as it deals with something that is completely beyond the very limited modern scientific view of what constitutes a person.  The Vedas teach that there is a “real” identity/me and a “false” identity/me.   

The entirety of living beings within the material world, with very few exceptions, are living out what could be described as dreamlike lives, totally engrossed in the world of the False Ego or the false self, totally unaware of their actual spiritual identity.  

So, what is the mechanism that makes this possible? It is called the ahaṅkāra in Sanskrit, which is the subtle, yet powerful, covering of the soul/self, which distorts the consciousness of the pure soul.  

The verses I quoted in this talk are as follows:  

When the soul is under the spell of material nature and false ego, identifying one’s body as the self, the person becomes absorbed in material activities, and by the influence of false ego one thinks that they are the proprietor of everything. – Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.27.2  

During the rainy season the moon was prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the clouds, which were themselves illumined by the moon’s rays. Similarly, the living being in material existence is prevented from appearing directly by the covering of the false ego, which is itself illumined by the consciousness of the pure soul. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 10.20.19  

The mind, being able to perceive due to its reflecting both the atma (self) and objects of perception, appears to comprehend everything. Yoga-Sūtra 4.23 

Even though the mind has accumulated various impressions (and desires) of various types it is always at the disposal of the atma (self). This is because the mind cannot function without the power of the perceiver.    Yoga-Sūtra 4.24  

The false ego of the living entity places him in bondage and awards him exactly the opposite of what he really desires. Therefore, an intelligent person should give up his constant anxiety to enjoy material life and remain situated in the Lord, who is beyond the functions of material consciousness. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.13.29  

As long as the spirit soul is covered by the subtle body, consisting of the mind, intelligence and false ego, he is bound to the results of his fruitive activities. Because of this covering, the spirit soul is connected with the material energy and must accordingly suffer material conditions and reversals, continually, life after life. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 7.2.47

A person who has given up all desires for sense gratification, who lives free from desires, who has given up all sense of proprietorship and is devoid of false ego—they alone can attain real peace. – Bhagavad gītā 2.71  

Although the false ego has no factual basis, it is perceived in many forms—as the functions of the mind, speech, life air and bodily faculties. But with the sword of transcendental knowledge, sharpened by worship of a bona fide spiritual master, a sober sage will cut off this false identification and live in this world free from all material attachment. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.28.17  

Lamentation, elation, fear, anger, greed, confusion and hankering, as well as birth and death, are experiences of the false ego and not of the pure soul. - Bhāgavata Purāṇa 11.28.15

The full description can be found on Youtube.