श्रीरामSatsang with Ananta
The Self (I Am)

Do You Want an Enlightened Version or Be Free?

Ananta challenges seekers to examine whether they want a spiritualized version of themselves or true freedom, revealing that even the desire for enlightenment contains the ego.

Seeker

Me.

Ananta

You take ‘me’ [Laughs]

Seeker

I just wish that ‘I want to go to heaven.’

Ananta

That ‘I want to go to heaven’ is also an idea. But in a way, he is right, that in any idea that you could take is contained a story of ‘me’. SomeHmes I say, carrying this money ‘me’ in our backpack as we are crossing into the gates of heaven.’ What is that story about? That story is about right now. [Silence] You just want a spiritual version of yourself or you want to be Free? You want just an enlightened version of yourself or you want to be Free?

Key Teachings

  • Even the desire for heaven or enlightenment is an idea that contains a story of 'me'
  • There is a crucial difference between wanting an enlightened version of yourself versus wanting actual freedom
  • The ego can spiritualize itself and follow us even into spiritual aspirations
egoliberationenlightenmentdesirespiritual seekingfreedom

From: Simpler Than "Just Being" Is Your Being - 16th January 2020