When you speak of letting go of the ego, what is this "ego"?

[sonamdhargey]

I see that letting go is letting go of concept. The concept that we cling to and rely on to be who we are.

What do you guys think?

Below are some Buddhist comments:

Sharon Salzberg
Vipassana Teacher and Co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts

"There is no 'thing' to let go of, but a concept, an idea of an ego that burdens us. As soon as we posit a 'thing' to let go of, we're in trouble. We need to change our view of reality, not attack a nonexistent entity."

Surya Das
author, Lama in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, and Founder of the Dzogchen Foundation in Bloomfield, New York

"Letting go in the present moment of the present moment, not to mention the past and future. Letting go of whatever is holding on. Total openness, naturalness, relaxation implies letting go of everything, totally, at once—in the now, in each instant, now and forever. A surrender to the ultimate simplicity of just being, which is prior to and more fundamental than all forms of doing. So let go of all concepts, including those of clinging and letting go."

Robert Thurman
Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo- Tibetan Studies at Columbia University, New York City

"The habitual assumption of the individual, self-sufficient, intrinsically identifiable 'I' which we have assumed to exist from beginningless time. The key to the meditations on selflessness, emptiness, and so on, however, is not to jump into them right away, but to look carefully at what is this 'assumed I.' What is the self that the self-habit holds? Observe the self for a long time before trying to negate it. In the Tibetan tradition, they speak of developing a fragment of consciousness, a spy consciousness, that observes the self from the corner, as it were. The best time to see this 'I' is said to be in a state of injured innocence, when you are indignant, when you feel that you have been wronged. The thought: 'I am right. . . this has been done to me!' contains the firm feeling, the hard nut of the self.

"The key, again, in the Buddhist sense, is not dissolving but developing the ego into a more flexible and permeable ego. This is considered a strong ego, capable of both surrender and function. The weak ego is the rigid, defensive one."


Read More here:http://www.tricycle.com/special-section/what-does-being-a-buddhist-mean-you?offer=dharma/

[Tenzin K]

Buddha said we are all that our minds create. Our world is created with our thoughts, therefore you have the ability to simply let go of ego. Nothing matters because nothing is permanent. Nothing anyone says, does or even feels is real. From one moment to the next it has changed and is no longer what it started out as. Also you are no different than anyone or any sentient being in that we are all striving to end our suffering and we are all caught in the same whirlpool of samsara or the cycle of life, death and rebirth. When you realize you were once the other person or animal or some other living thing then you can see that the ego just has no place. Awaken to this truth and you will have let go of ego. Webster’s dictionary defines “ego” as: “the self especially as contrasted with another self or the world”. And Cambridge dictionary defines ego as, “your idea or opinion of you own self, or a great feeling of your own importance and ability”, and goes further to state that “in psychoanalysis, the part of a person's mind which tries to match the hidden desires (wishes) of the id (part of the unconscious mind) with the demands of reality”.

You see the reason for suffering is desire, in Buddhism suffering is called Dukkha and is the first noble truth in the four noble truths of the Buddhist basic beliefs. So to end desire one has to let go of their ego. Ending desire is what will allow you to end your suffering as stated in the third noble truth (the end to suffering is to end attachment and desire).

When you can see that there is no difference between you and all sentient beings then the egotistical contrast of yourself to the world and other selves makes no sense and is a waste of time. Therefore ego can be released and it will no longer hinder you from reaching enlightenment. The chanting of the Buddha name in Pure Land Buddhism is for the destruction of ego, it lowers you to a feeling of the same Buddha mind. It is said that when you chant the Buddha name whether it is Amituofo or Amitaba or Shakyamuni that you will gain the wisdom and Buddha nature that you need to transcend ego and this realm into transcended wisdom. So to practice letting go of ego, remember what it means and why it's important, meditate daily and chant the Buddha’s name learn to love and forget.

[RedLantern]

Here is an interesting article on letting go of ego,and A Zen Koan concerning ego and emptying your cup.
Nan-In ,a Japanese master during the Meiji -era(1868-1912.received a university professor,who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan -In  served tea,he poured his visitors a cup full and then kept  on pouring.The Professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself.It is over.You are full of your own opinions and speculations.
Remember that you're letting go-not destroying
Anger doesn't mean you can't feel anger.It's there,but you learn to let go.The concept is that the ego is preventing you from truly seeing who toy truly are.Beneath the fears,anger,weakness,bravado,and other perceptions. the real you is there.

[sonamdhargey]

You give reality to concepts, while concepts are distortions of reality. Abandon all conceptualisation and stay silent and attentive. Be earnest about it and all will be well with you. - Nisargadatta Maharaj