Buddha taught that "the one who has conquered himself is a far greater hero than he who defeated a thousand times a thousand men." He recognized the ego presence that feels threatened by and therefore fears the truth. This mental power is resisting the simple spiritual act of shining the light of consciousness toward your ultimate inner source.

"To see reality clearly, we must learn to let go of all our cherished beliefs about who we are and what life in general is all about. We can't hold one thing tightly in our grasp, and at the same time reach out and take something new. We must let go of and put aside what we are grasping, in order to be able to receive something that we want or need much more. All spiritual and psychological growth requires a letting go of a limited belief in order to open up and receive a more expansive belief – or even better, a direct experience of reality that makes all beliefs unnecessary. This is the challenge of spiritual growth: to enlighten the ego to where it realizes, through more and more meditative experience, that letting go of judgments about reality and embracing reality itself, is not only worthwhile but essential to a truly fulfilling life," says John Selby.  >>>

Buddha observed, however, that the ego is fearful of its own demise – and will fight hard to preserve its groundling. We should learn how to conquer these fears within us that resist change.

Lama Surya Das puts it this way, 'As you walk the inner path of awakening, recognize that it is most definitely a heroic journey. You must be prepared to make sacrifices, and yes, you must be prepared to change. Just as a caterpillar must shed its familiar cocoon in order to become a butterfly and fly, you must be willing to change and shed the hard armor of self-centered egotism. As compelling as the inner journey is, it can be difficult because it brings you face to face with reality. It brings you face to face with who you really are."