Ego

A game of football is played by two teams, with each team striving to score a goal by shooting the ball to the goal post. Life is also a game between the two goal posts of secular and spiritual education. While playing football, one kicks the ball as long as it is filled with air. Once the football is deflated, no one will kick it. The air in the football signifies the presence of ego. A person swayed by ego would have to receive blows until they become devoid of ego. Only a deflated ball is picked up by the hands, whereas an inflated ball is kicked mercilessly. Similarly, a person who has destroyed the ego is well respected, whereas the person who allows free sway of ego becomes the target of all sorts of attacks. Only when you are free from ego can you transform yourself into an ideal person. Secular things come and go, whereas spiritual gains stay forever.

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba