The ego cannot exist in isolation; it lives exclusively through comparison. It needs to be richer, smarter, more pious, or even more miserable than someone else to feel alive.
The ego cannot exist in isolation [2]. It needs to be "better than," "holier than," or even "more miserable than" someone else [2].
Osho illustrates this with the metaphor of pulling oneself up by one's own bootstraps. It is impossible. One cannot fight the ego because the fighter is the ego. The moment one creates a conflict within oneself, they are validating the reality of the enemy. Therefore, traditional renunciation and asceticism often fail; they simply make the ego stronger by making it feel "special" or "sacrificed." osho ego pdf
How does it do this? Through the accumulation of "mine."
: Because we do not know our true center, we create a false one—the ego—to function in the world [27]. Attention-Seeking The ego cannot exist in isolation; it lives
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The ego cannot exist in isolation; it requires an "other" to fight against. Osho explains that the ego thrives on friction. If you agree with everyone, your ego shrinks. If you argue, resist, and fight, your ego feels strengthened and defined. This is why human beings are so deeply attracted to drama, politics, and arguments. 2. The Desire for More It needs to be "better than," "holier than,"
Why do we possess an ego if it is false? Osho explains that the ego is a byproduct of human survival and socialization.
: Society encourages the adoption of "masks" to fit in, leading to a life that is inauthentic and detached from one’s true nature. III. The Ego’s Grip: Fear and Perfection