Why do we possess an ego if it is false? Osho explains that the ego is a byproduct of human survival and socialization.
“The ego is just a shadow. It has no reality of its own. It exists only because you are not aware of your real self.” – Osho osho ego pdf
Through this process, the child forgets their inner, self-luminous being and starts identifying with the external reflection. This reflection is the ego. It serves as a protective armor for navigating a competitive world, but eventually, the armor becomes a prison. 3. The Symptoms of Ego: How It Breeds Suffering Why do we possess an ego if it is false
In his series of talks, often compiled in books like The Book of Ego: Freedom from Illusion , Osho dissects the various ways the ego plays hide-and-seek with the individual. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial, for Osho believes that fighting the ego directly is a futile and dangerous trap. It has no reality of its own
According to Osho, the ego is the root cause of all psychological misery, anxiety, and conflict. It creates a state of perpetual tension through several mechanisms: