Hang On To Your Ego

by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

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Because the Buddha saw how these enlightened qualities of wisdom, compassion, and purity could be developed through the pursuit of happiness, he never told his followers to practice his teachings without expecting any gain in return. He understood that such a demand would create an unhealthy dynamic in the mind. In terms of Western psychology, expecting no gain in return would give license for the super-ego to run amok. Instead, the Buddha taught that even the principle of renunciation is a trade. You exchange candy for gold, trading lesser pleasures for greater happiness. So he encouraged people to be generous with their time and possessions because of the inner rewards they would receive in return. He taught moral virtue as a gift: when you observe the precepts without ifs, ands, or buts, you give unconditional safety to all other beings, and in return you receive a share of that safety as well.

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Full article.

I am a Zen practitioner.

In my understanding the goal is not the abolition of one's Ego, but the understanding needed to use it and control it ..... so that your Ego (or as I have heard it called your Ego Mind) does not control you.

The "goal" or "payment" for the effort required to gain and use that understanding to "control" your Ego Mind is the understanding of the true nature of your Ego Mind, and it's "interdependence" (mutual co-existence could we call it?) with your Mindfully perceived true nature.

Of course, this is a difficult thing to do, probably requiring insight Meditation and a Mindful understanding of both your Ego and your true nature.

That's not an easy task ,,,,, but if you need to ask what the goal or payment for the effort is ..... I suggest that the payment is, as I said, Mindful understanding of that interdependence.

My understanding is once you grasp the relationship and/or concepts of spontaneity and simultaneity you are here, there, and everywhere.

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