Ego:
	Ego or True Self
	There Is No Ego, Really!
	Ways to Reduce Ego

Ways To Eliminate the Ego

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Hsihu Center, Miaoli, Formosa
October 10, 1990 (Originally in Aulacese)

This is very difficult. It's even harder than breaking off a love relationship. Why? It is because the ego is the self-pride of humans. Therefore, to eliminate the ego is very difficult, as we have been used to being the father, the mother, the saint, the God, for such a long time. However, there are ways to eliminate your ego. Just look at your practice diary each day and see if the things you have done are good. If the good deeds are few and the bad ones are many, and if we are full of greed, anger and hatred, then we know that we should be ashamed of ourselves. Then, gradually, we will become more humble, and we will not dare to criticize others because we can see that we are charcoal-black. Is that not so? If our own feet were soaked in mud, how would we dare to use a torch to shine on others' feet? So our ego is lessened.

When you practice the Quan Yin Method, gradually, the ego will be lessened. This Method allows you to use the Divine Light, God's Love, the Source of infinite power or our own true Self, to erode the mundane ego. It is not that we use our limited human power to control it. Many people practice by strictly disciplining themselves. They dare not do this or that; dare not open their mouths too wide when they laugh; dare not walk with big strides; dare not run; dare not do anything. Even then, the ego still cannot be eliminated. Why? It is because they are using the mind and their mundane experiences to eliminate their mundane egos. Both of them are at a mundane level, therefore, it's difficult.

Dedicate Actions to the Master
to Reduce the Ego

Spoken by Supreme Master Ching Hai
Costa Rica February 6, 1991
(Originally in English)

Q: When a Quan Yin messenger was here, she taught us a very beautiful thing. She said that we should dedicate all of our bad or good actions to the Master, regardless of the results of those actions, and in that way we can say that there won't be any obstacles. I think I understand a little about what she said, but I want to understand more.

M: It is not that you have to dedicate all your good and bad actions to the Master. You should, as far as you know, do only good things. But in case you are not sure whether these things are really as good as you think, then say, "Please, Master, I've tried my best to understand. I think it is good, but in case it's bad, please forgive me. Please take care of me. Please do something if this is bad; stop it, or help me to understand that it is bad or something." Then, it's okay! Or, you can write a letter or ask in meditation until you receive the sure answer. If it's an emergency and you cannot do that, and you don't receive the inner message because you're too crowded or cannot wait for the answer, then pray, "If it's bad, please forgive me. I don't intentionally do bad things, but my understanding was like that. I thought it was good, so I did my best."

That's probably what she meant. So sometimes, expression in language doesn't give full wing to the bird of our intentions. And probably, the other meaning would be that whatever we do, whether the work is pleasant or disgusting to us, we have to do it with the best intentions and in the name of Master. Whether the work yields fruit or is unfruitful, we should just dedicate it to the Master and be happy. That's all! But not to intentionally do bad things and say, "I dedicate it to the Master."