As per yoga philosophy, the mind comprises four parts:

• Ahamkara (ego mind).
• Buddhi (intellect and wisdom).
• Manas (sensory and perceiving mind).
• ‘Chitta’ (memory).

The ‘ahamkara’ is the default mode of consciousness, which can lead to negativity, suffering, and discontent and make life suffer. However, through regular yoga practice, people can fortify their buddhi, which is associated with wisdom, intuition, compassion, and insight. This enhances their capacity to transcend the illusions that their egos have produced and lead more fulfilling lives. In fact, yoga teaches people how to understand the mind’s nature and overcome the suffering caused by the ego.

What Does Ahamkara Mean?

The term “ahamkara” has been around for 3,000 years and was first mentioned in Vedic texts and later in Hindu philosophy, specifically in Samkhya philosophy. It is one of four components of the Antahkarana, or inner organ, along with buddhi (intellect), manas (mind), and Chitta (memory). Lord Krishna taught Arjuna in the Gita that true spiritual enlightenment can only be achieved by eradicating the ego, known as “ahamkara,” which is sometimes referred to as “the instrument of the spirit.” Negative emotions like pride, jealousy, and hatred may be the outcome if such behaviour is not controlled.

The word “Ahamkara” originates from Sanskrit, where “aham” represents “self” and “kara” means “doing” or “acting.” As a result, Ahamkara pertains to the identity linked with a particular body, providing a sense of individuality distinct from everything else. Ahamkara plays a crucial role in forming human personality structure and individuality. In contemporary psychology, this concept is akin to the notion of ego. 

Practising yoga can be a helpful tool for gaining insight into egos and learning how to let go of them through various techniques.

Ahamkara and Kleshas 

In the philosophy of yoga, there are four kleshas: avidya (forgetfulness), asmita (individuality), raga (attraction), and dvesha (aversion). The third and fourth kleshas, raga and dvesha, arise due to the function of ahamkara, a tool of the mind. When Consciousness forgets its pure non-dual nature, it appears as an individual due to the influence of asmita. This individual mind has four functions: manas, ahamkara, chitta, and buddhi. It can then experience attractions (raga) and aversions (dvesha). These mental tendencies are further reinforced by the fifth and final klesha, abhinivesha, which is fear.

With proper training, Ahamkara has the ability to transform into the power of will. One can adopt the mantra of “I can do it, I will do it, I have to do it!” to motivate themselves towards success.

 Ahamkara is considered one of the seven streams of emotions because it encompasses the feeling of egotism or “I”. These seven streams of emotions include kama (desire), krodha (anger), moha (attachment), lobha (greed), muda (pride), matsarya (jealousy), and ahamkara (egotism).

Understanding the Ego in Psychology

In psychology, the ego is the aspect of the mind that acts as a mediator between conscious and unconscious thoughts, which is responsible for the sense of self, identity and uniqueness. However, the ego can often seek validation through external means like material possessions, achievements, and the opinions of others, which can result in negative attitudes and behaviours.

The human ego is capable of taking on various forms, including but not limited to feelings of insecurity, the tendency to compare oneself to others, reluctance to accept constructive criticism and strong attachment to self-imposed labels. These manifestations can often hinder personal growth and development, and it is important to recognise and overcome them in order to achieve greater self-awareness and fulfilment.

Connection of Ahamkara, Samskara and Karma

The human sense of self is shaped by their past actions, or karma, and the imprints left on them, known as samskaras. These imprints are formed when their senses are influenced by their attractions and repulsions, and they become habits that affect their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The way they act on these habits creates new karma and strengthens existing samskaras, leading to unstable emotional states and altered perceptions of reality. However, they can use their willpower to change their karma and dissolve their samskaras. This way, people can free themselves of the illusions created by their thoughts and emotions and transform themselves, transcending their Ahamkara. This transformation changes how people see themselves and their place in the world.

Yoga: Restoring Harmony and Reducing Ego

The ultimate goal of practising yoga is to let go of the false sense of self and embrace one’s true identity. Through yoga, one can attain self-realisation and break free from the illusion of separateness caused by the ego, and it helps them gain insight into their consciousness and the mind, thus enabling them to cultivate mindfulness and inner awareness to eliminate any distortions. Each yoga path helps to release attachments to the ego, control the ahamkara, and nurture the wisdom, intuition, and compassion of the buddhi mind. Although each path may differ, all yoga paths, be it Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, or Tantra yoga, lead to the same destination. 

The Positive Side of Ahamkara

When ahamkara, or ego mind, is healthy and balanced, people can effectively meet their needs for survival and growth. They can utilise their ego as a source of willpower, commitment, and determination to achieve success in their pursuits. By harnessing the power of ahamkara, they can improve our personal growth, take ownership of their lives, and find purpose and direction.

A functioning ego mind protects them from danger and helps them lead enjoyable lives. Ahamkara is responsible for decision-making, action-taking, and behaviour control. We rely on our ahamkara to make choices about what we eat, drink, wear, say, think, feel, believe, and do. With self-awareness, we can recognise when we need to care for ourselves physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and financially. We also know when to prioritise others and when to prioritise our own needs. This healthy function of ahamkara can lead to happiness, fulfilment, and good health.

The Negative Aspects of Ahamkara

Sometimes, our inner self can get overwhelmed by negative thought patterns and false beliefs that make us feel disconnected from others and the world around us. This might result in feelings of loneliness, alienation, and mistrust of other people. Our sense of self, or Ahamkara, can attach itself to material possessions, people, and ideas, causing negative emotions like greed, jealousy, anger, and selfishness. These emotions can become more intense when we don’t get what we want, further reinforcing our negative thought patterns and beliefs.

Overcoming the Ego

1. Start with self-reflection. Regularly examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions to identify any ego-driven behaviours.

2. Practice mindfulness meditation to observe your thoughts without judgment. This creates a gap between your ego and true self, enabling you to respond more thoughtfully and transcend your consciousness.

3. Embrace humility and acknowledge that you can learn from others. This powerful mindset allows you to be open to growth and change.

4. Shift your focus from outcomes to the process. Enjoy the journey, and don’t let success or failure define your self-worth.

5. Seek feedback from trusted friends and mentors. Be open to criticism and use it as a tool for personal growth.

6. Cultivate gratitude to shift your focus from what you lack to what you have. This helps diminish the ego’s insatiable desire for more.

7. Foster meaningful connections with people to break down the barriers erected by the ego. Empathy and compassion go a long way in this process.

The idea of ego has been a topic of interest among philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual leaders for many years. It plays a significant role in human life, but it can be both beneficial and detrimental. A well-balanced ego can boost confidence and drive, while an overbearing one can result in conflict and arrogance and stunt personal development. 

A large ego can impede personal development by causing resistance to criticism, failure-related fear, rigidity, unhealthy competition, relationship-building challenges, lack of self-awareness, and, ultimately, stagnation. It is essential to adopt a growth mindset, see failure as an opportunity to learn, be open to change, shift your attention to your own personal progress, build strong relationships, practice self-awareness, and make a commitment to lifelong learning if you want to overcome these challenges.