I and Mine - The Dual Knots of False Ego
Throughout the vast literature of Vedic wisdom, the core problem of human suffering is traced back to a single psychological flaw: the false ego (ahaṅkāra). Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently summarizes this complex philosophical concept into two simple, devastating words: "I" and "mine." To think "I" means to identify oneself with a temporary lump of matter—the physical body. To think "mine" means to claim ownership over anything connected to that body, from one's spouse and children to one's bank account and country. This deeply ingrained misconception pits living entities against one another, causing endless wars, anxiety, and repeated cycles of birth and death. By carefully studying Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings on this subject, we can learn how to untie the knot of material illusion in the heart and awaken to our true identity as eternal servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The Root of Illusion ("I Am This Body")
The foundational error of conditioned life is bodily identification. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that as long as we remain ignorant of our true spiritual nature, we are forced to accept the temporary physical form as our self, trapping us in a cycle of false conceptions.
- Almost everyone is thinking that he is this body; he has no information of the spirit soul. Guided by this misconception, one always thinks, "This is my body, and anything in relationship with this body is mine."
- Because of sinful activities we become attracted by the illusion of material attachment, and we think, "I am this body." I think of the body as myself and of bodily possessions as "mine."
- The conditioned souls are eager to identify with the body and consider that the body is "myself" and that anything in relationship with the body or possessions of the body is - mine.
- "I am this body" or "Everything in relationship to the body is mine" is called false ego, but when one is self-realized and thinks that he is an eternal servitor of the Supreme Lord, that identification is real ego.
The Trap of Ownership ("Everything is Mine")
Once a person accepts the body as the self, the immediate consequence is the desire to possess. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out the absurdity of claiming ownership over land, oceans, and wealth that were created by God and existed long before our temporary arrival.
- God conscious and atheistic people, what is the difference? The difference is that atheistic person thinks "mine." "Everything mine. I am the lord of all I survey. I am the king. I am the leader. I am everything, and everything belongs to me."
- The entire world is bewildered because people are thinking, "This is my land," "America is mine," "India is mine." Not knowing the real value of life, people think that the material body and the land where it is produced are all in all.
- The defect is that in the root is wrong. Everyone's thinking "It is my country. It is my family. It is my society. It is my property." This "mine" is illusion.
- Who has created this country, this vast land, the sky, the sea, the ocean? I have not created. So how can I claim that this is mine? I have come empty-handed from the womb of my mother, and I shall go empty-handed.
The Tightening Knot
The illusory energy of māyā has a very specific mechanism to solidify the false ego: the mutual attraction between men and women. Śrīla Prabhupāda vividly describes how material union creates an intricate web of economic and social responsibilities that completely binds the soul in thoughts of "I" and "mine."
- On the basis of this misconception, which ties together the hearts of the male and female, one becomes attracted to his body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way one increases life's illusions and thinks in terms of "I and mine."
- We are attached to this material world. But when we are united, man and woman together, our attachment for this material world becomes increased. Material world means "I am this body, and in relationship with this body everything is mine."
- If wife is there, then some money must be coming, that means work, land or factory, children, home, friends, community, nation, like that there is increasing complication of illusion of thinking: This is mine, that is mine.
- Very strong knot: "Oh, you are mine. I am yours." (laughter) "You are mine. I am yours." In this way they pull on this material life. And then, gradually, "Now we must have good apartment to live and enjoy sex life."
The Cure: Real Ego and Surrender
The ultimate goal of human life is not to artificially obliterate the ego, but to purify it. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that by deeply studying Vedic literatures, chanting the holy names, and fully surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, one transitions from the false ego of "I and mine" to the real ego of eternal servitorship.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam and, primarily, the Bhagavad-gita are both meant for delivering a person from the misconception of "I" and "mine," and Srila Vyasadeva transcribed them for the deliverance of the fallen souls.
- The whole materialistic world is moving under such false egoism of "I" and "mine," but the factual effect of chanting the holy name is to become free from such misconceptions.
- Now that I have become fixed in the Absolute Truth, henceforward I shall not identify myself with the body. I shall give up false conceptions of "I" and "mine" and fix my mind on the lotus feet of Krsna.
- The perfect process is to accept Krsna as the Supreme in everything, and the best perfection in culturing knowledge is to surrender unto Him because He is the source of everything. Only in that conception can one get rid of the misconception of I and mine.
Conclusion
As long as we operate under the dictates of the false ego, we are bound to suffer in the material world. The twin illusions of "I am this body" and "everything belongs to me" are the root cause of our separation from the Supreme Lord. However, by adhering to Śrīla Prabhupāda's instructions and taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we can cut these tight knots of material attachment. When we realize that we are spirit souls and that everything is the property of Kṛṣṇa, we are instantly liberated from the anxieties of this world and re-established in our eternal, blissful identity.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category I and Mine. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.