Download "Understanding the Ego"

A questioner is interested in understanding the ego and its role in self-recognition. He asks Rupert why, even though the ego is an illusion, it is essential to the process of self-transcendence. Rupert explains that something that is an illusion is real, but it is not what it appears to be. Something that is not real is something that has no existence even as an illusion. There is no value in investigating what is unreal but there is value in investigating an illusion. If one makes a deep investigation of an illusion, it leads to its reality. That's why when Ramana Maharshi was asked which self are we inquiring into when we do self-inquiry, the illusory self or the real self? he said it doesn't matter, just inquire into whatever you think yourself to be. Because if you go far enough into whatever you believe yourself to be, you will eventually end up with reality — the true and only self of infinite awareness. *This video is taken from one of Rupert's in-person retreats at Castello di Titignano – 20th to 29th August, 2023. To view and book for upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to: ▸ UK https://rupertspira.com/event/location/united-kingdom ▸ EU https://rupertspira.com/event/location/italy ▸ US https://rupertspira.com/event/location/united-states Timestamps: 0:00 Is The Ego Essential For Self-Recognition? 0:25 What Is An Illusion? 1:07 All Illusions Have A Reality To Them 1:43 Investigating The Illusion 2:29 Exploring The Ego 3:11 The Ego Is Real 3:27 Understanding The Ego 4:32 Self-Enquiry 5:15 Ramana Maharshi –– ACCESS FULL VIDEO ARCHIVE You can watch or listen to 1000s of hours of teachings, guided meditations and answers in Rupert's full video archive here: ▸ https://rupertspira.com/subscriptions –– RETREATS (Weekend, 5-day, 7-day) Rupert holds regular retreats, roughly once per month, either in-person and online. Many in-person retreats can also be attended from the comfort of your home via livestream. ONLINE RETREAT SCHEDULE ▸ https://rupertspira.com/events/retreat-at-home IN-PERSON RETREATS SCHEDULE (Also Available to Join Online via Live Stream) ▸ UK https://rupertspira.com/event/location/united-kingdom ▸ US https://rupertspira.com/event/location/united-states –– WEEKLY WEBINARS (2 hours) Rupert's webinars take place on Wednesday evenings, from 4pm UK time. In the first twenty to thirty minutes, Rupert leads a spontaneous meditation. The remaining time is open for attendees to discuss their questions with Rupert. WEEKLY WEBINAR SCHEDULE ▸ https://rupertspira.com/events/webinar –– DOWNLOAD TWO FREE RUPERT SPIRA EBOOKS We are delighted to share two free Rupert Spira ebooks with you, titled 'An Introduction to Non-Duality'. You will also receive Rupert's weekly newsletter where you will be notified of free content, events (online and in-person), books and other new releases. Download your two free ebooks here: https://rupertspira.com/join –– BROWSE RUPERT’S BOOKS ▸ https://rupertspira.com/store –– LISTEN TO RUPERT’S PODCAST ▸ iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rupert-spira-podcast ▸ Libsyn: https://rupertspira.libsyn.com/ ▸ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6z1GNgC1js30g9RLSfBB4M –– JOIN RUPERT’S FACEBOOK GROUP ▸ https://www.facebook.com/groups/rupertspiracommunity –– FOLLOW RUPERT ON MEDIUM https://medium.com/@rupert_spira –– SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS ▸ Website: https://rupertspira.com ▸ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rupertspira_/ ▸ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rupertspira ▸ Twitter: https://twitter.com/rupertspira ▸ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rupertspira_ –– SUBSCRIBE TO RUPERT’S YOUTUBE ▸ https://www.youtube.com/user/rupertspira?sub_confirmation=1 –– #rupertspira #nonduality #happiness #natureofreality #consciousness #awareness #meditation #guidedmeditation RS23118a