There is a widespread belief in spiritual circles that both the ego and the Iself must be destroyed or transcended in order to awaken.
This is a mistake.
The ego is built upon the Iself. Many traditions mistakenly treat them as one and the same, and attempt to kill both. But they are not the same.
The Iself is the fundamental individual focal point of conscious awareness — who and what you essentially are. The ego is a necessary functional layer built on top of the Iself. It is the personality structure that allows you to navigate the world, interact with others, and operate effectively in daily life. Together, the Iself plus the ego determines how you show up and function in the world.
Throughout history, there have been some yogis and mystics who, through intense sadhana and force of will, managed to completely erase their Iself. When the Iself was erased, the ego was also wiped out, leaving them completely non-functional — having to be fed, washed, and cared for like an infant by their devotees. Becoming a burden on others is not a laudable spiritual goal.
Your individuality — this unique focal point of conscious awareness — is not something to be annihilated. It is not a mistake. It is not an obstacle to realization. It is the doorway to awakening. It is something to be acknowledged, accepted, and cherished.
In fact, the very first line of the Self Realization Mantra deliberately affirms and validates the Iself:
I Am Thee Iself.
You did not come to this planet to erase your individuality. You came here to experience life through it. The Iself is not something to overcome or get rid of — it is something to be fully realized as one of the five fundamental aspects of your true nature.
You can realize Noself without destroying the Iself.
You can be fully self realized and still have a healthy, functional sense of “I”.
The Iself is not the enemy.
It is part of who you are.
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