A PowerPoint Presentation of the mental defilement of Self or Ego - a root cause of suffering. For reflection to help us cut the Ego and attain greater happiness, peace, compassion and wisdom. The texts are in English and Chinese. For the Video with audio narration and explanation in English, please check out the Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUUOuEVvr_4

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~
EGO ～ 要征服的敌人

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Your ego is one of the most formidable enemies that often stands
in the way of your success and fulfillment.
The ego, an inflated sense of self-importance can blind you to your
weaknesses, hinder your progress and prevent you from reaching
your true potential.
你的自我是最可怕的敌人之一，它经常阻碍你的成功和成就。
自我，一种膨胀的自我重要性感会让你看不到自己的弱点，
阻碍你的进步并阻止你发挥真正的潜力。
EGO ~ Your
Great
Enemy
自我，你最
大的敌人
傲慢的

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The ego represents the self-identity you construct based on your desires,
fears and attachments. It creates a separation between yourself and
others, fueling comparison, judgment and a constant need for validation.
Eckhart Tolle said your ego is your self-image created and maintained
by your mind.
自我代表了你根据自己的欲望、恐惧和依恋构建的自我认同。 它在你
和他人之间造成了分离，助长了比较、判断和持续的验证需求。埃克
哈特·托利（Eckhart Tolle）说，你的自我是由你的思想创造和维护的
自我形象。
Your ego is your
self-image
created and
maintained by
your mind.
你的自我是你的
思想创造和维护
的自我形象。

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When your ego takes control, you become resistant to feedback and
constructive criticism. Your ego hurts relationships, family, society and
most importantly yourself.
At the core of the ego lies the illusion of separation. It makes you
believe that you are separate entities disconnected from one another
and the world around you.
当你的自我控制时，你就会抵制反馈和建设性的批评。 你的自我伤
害了人际关系、家庭、社会，最重要的是你自己。自我的核心在于分
离的幻觉。 它让你相信你们是彼此独立的实体，与周围的世界脱节。

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This belief fuels a relentless pursuit of personal gain and superiority
which leads to conflicts, unhappiness and a sense of emptiness.
To release the ego's hold, you must realize that we are all
interconnected beings, part of the vast Universe of life. This awareness
allows you to shift your focus from ‘me’ to ‘we’.
My friend, to cultivate a sense of interconnectedness in your daily life
do engage in acts of kindness ~
这种信念助长了对个人利益和优越感的不懈追求，从而导致冲突、不幸和空
虚感。为了释放自我的束缚，你必须认识到我们都是相互关联的存在，是广
阔的生命宇宙的一部分。 这种意识可以让你将注意力从“我”转移到“我们”。
我的朋友，为了在日常生活中培养相互联系的意识，请多做一些善事吧 ~
认识到我们都是相互联系的生物......

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Volunteer your time or offer a listening ear to someone in need by
extending yourself beyond your ego's boundaries. You will discover
the joy of connection and dissolve the illusion of separation.
Holding on to your egos comes at a great cost. It breeds negativity
and limits personal growth.
通过超越自我的界限，自愿贡献出自己的时间或倾听有需要的
人。 你会发现联系的乐趣并消除分离的幻觉。坚持自我会付
出巨大的代价。 它滋生消极情绪并限制个人成长。
Breeding Negativity
滋生消极情绪
分离的幻觉

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The need to be right, to control outcomes and to seek external
validation, can leave you feeling trapped, anxious and disconnected
from your true self.
John O'Donoghue said the ego is the false self, born out of fear and
defensiveness. The ego thrives on control. It fears uncertainty and
resists change. It clings to outcomes, people and situations, believing
that it can orchestrate and manipulate every aspect of life.
追求正确、控制结果和寻求外部验证的需要会让你感到受困、焦虑和与真
实的自我脱节。约翰·奥多诺霍说，自我是虚假的自我，源于恐惧和防御。
自我在控制中茁壮成长。 它害怕不确定性并抵制变化。 它执着于结果、人
和情境，相信它可以精心策划和操纵生活的各个方面。
“The ego
is the false
self…”
John O'Donoghue –
Poet and Philosopher
诗人和哲学家
掌控之中

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However, this constant need for control only creates anxiety and limits
your capacity to experience true freedom and inner peace.
To release the Ego's grip, you must learn to surrender and trust in the
natural flow of life. Imagine you being caught in a turbulent river
desperately trying to swim against the current. Exhausted and
overwhelmed, you finally surrender to the river's force and allow it to
carry you.
然而，这种对控制的持续需求只会造成焦虑，并限制你体验真正自由和内心
平静的能力。为了释放自我的控制，你必须学会臣服并相信生命的自然流
动。 想象一下，你被困在一条湍急的河流中，拼命地试图逆流而上。 精疲
力竭、不知所措的你最终屈服于河流的力量并让它带着你。
相信生命的自然流动 试图逆流而上……

9. In that moment of surrender you experience a profound sense of relief
and trust. The river becomes your ally rather than your adversary.
Observe how your ego resists or clings to situations. Cultivate an
attitude of acceptance and trust in the unfolding of life. Remind yourself
that true power lies in surrendering to what is rather than struggling
against it.
在那投降的那一刻，你会体验到一种深深的解脱感和信任。 河流成为你
的盟友而不是你的对手。观察你的自我如何抵制或坚持某些情况。 培养
接受和信任生活的态度。 提醒自己，真正的力量在于屈服于现实，而
不是与之抗争。
9
你的自我会抵制改变，
因为它喜欢待在舒适区…
接受是关键

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Attachment is a key mechanism through which the ego seeks security and
validation. You attach to people, possessions and identities falsely
believing that they define your worth and provide lasting happiness.
However, attachment chains you to a perpetual cycle of longing and
disappointment. To find true inner peace you must release attachment and
embrace the inherent impermanence of life.
依恋是自我寻求安全感和验证的关键机制。 你执着于人、财产和身份，错误地
相信它们定义了你的价值并提供持久的幸福。然而，依恋将你束缚在渴望和渴
望的永恒循环中。失望。 为了找到真正的内心平静，你必须释放执着并拥抱生
命固有的无常。
附件锁住了你... 为了找到真正的内心平静，
你必须释放执着......

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Everything in this world is subject to change. Just as the seasons change,
people and circumstances evolve and resisting this reality only leads to
suffering. When you cling to attachments be it material possessions,
relationships or even your self-image, you set yourself up for
disappointment and heartache when these attachments inevitably shift or
fade away.
这个世界上的一切都可能发生变化。 正如季节变化一样，人和环境也在
变化，抗拒这一现实只会导致痛苦。 当你执着于物质财富、人际关系甚
至自我形象时，当这些依恋不可避免地转移或消失时，你就会感到失望
和心痛。
这些物质财富值得承受所有的压
力吗？

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By cultivating a mindset of impermanence, you learn to appreciate the
present moment and detach yourself from outcomes. This doesn't mean
that you become indifferent or disengaged. Rather you learn to cherish the
beauty of each experience without clinging to it. You become like the lotus
flower blooming in muddy waters, fully present and aware of the transient
nature of life.
通过培养无常的心态，你可以学会欣赏当下并使自己脱离结果。 这并不
意味着您变得冷漠或不参与。 相反，你要学会珍惜每一次经历的美好，
而不是执着于它。 你变得像泥水中盛开的莲花一样，完全呈现并意识到
生命的短暂本质。

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Engage in activities that ground you in the present moment, such as
meditation, yoga or observing nature. Cultivate an attitude of curiosity and
wonder towards the ever-changing nature of life. Embrace impermanence
as a teacher reminding you to cherish each moment and find joy in the
dance of transformation.
从事让你立足当下的活动，例如冥想、瑜伽或观察自然。 对
不断变化的生活本质培养好奇和惊奇的态度。 像老师一样拥
抱无常，提醒你珍惜每一刻，在转变的舞蹈中找到快乐。
大自然的鬼斧神工是无
穷无尽的……

14. RUMI ~ Sufi Mystic and Poet
苏菲派神秘主义者和诗人
Remember the journey towards greatness begins when you let go of your
ego and embrace the transformative power of humility
C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of
yourself less.”
Also, Rumi said, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
Today, I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
请记住，当您放弃自我并拥抱谦逊的变革力量时，走向伟大的旅程就开始
了C.S. 刘易斯说：“谦逊不是少看自己，而是少想自己。”鲁米还说：“昨
天我很聪明，所以我想改变世界。今天，我变得聪明了，所以我正在改变
自己。”
C.S. Lewis – Writer
and Scholar
作家和学者
谦虚而真诚的候选人

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对“自我”或“Ego”的妄想和执着
会导致一个人在生命之流中遭受很多痛苦。
May you be free
from Suffering
愿你自由来自苦难
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
Credits
Most of the textual contents
adapted from “Wisdom
Nuggets”, a motivational site.