Oh, that ego!

One of the most tragic things I observe (and I observe it often) is the attempt to perfect the ego. Many people embark on that project thinking it will make them happy. But it never does because the ego is actually a tyrant and will never be satisfied if you put it in charge. The way to true happiness is to realize that the ego is not your true nature. Take a look at this marvelous quote:

There seem to two kinds of searchers: those who seek to make their ego something other than it is, i.e. holy, happy, unselfish (as though you could make a fish unfish), and those who understand that all such attempts are just gesticulation and play-acting, that there is only one thing that can be done, which is to disidentify themselves with the ego, by realising its unreality, and by becoming aware of their eternal identity with pure being.

- Fingers Pointing Toward the Moon by Wei Wu Wei

You can't get rid of the ego. It's part of how you get through life. But you can certainly know that it is not the real you. And you can refuse to let it be in charge. Letting go is the way - not building up. And humility is the key. Let it be okay that you're not great, you're not special, you're not perfect. And your true nature - which is beyond the ego and is luminous, beautiful and pure - will come shining forth.