We all carry this disease within us. This disease is what is called the fruit of vanity. The desire to be admired, to be appreciated, to become celebrated, famous, popular etc are all forms of the ego.

The ego wants to be special; and it feeds on the attention it's gets from people. When the attention is no longer coming, the ego is wounded and self-destruct it's bearer.

This ego comes in different ways. Let us explore some of them.

1. When you try impress people around. You spend time dressing to look good, to make up, to speak in foreign accent. Etc

2. When You want to be seen as superior in a gathering. The desire to outshine.

3. When You struggle to win an argument.

4. When you ask questions to show you know.

5. When You pray for money so that you can help others. Why not pray that the less privileged get direct help from above? Why through you?

6. When You feel depressed that you have carry over, or didn't get your target score.

7.When You get angry over small matter.

8. When You deny yourself good things of life. You starve your physical body of good care by lengthy fasting, and are willing to let people know that you are fasting.

9. When You pray out loud where people will notice you.

10. When You think you are a nice person, or harbor the desire to be talked of as being good, kind, gentle, generous, quiet, etc.

If your goal is to serve the pure Truth of God, you must root out the need to be liked by people. In fact people won't like you when you do the right thing most often.

11. When You go on ascetic lifestyle, by taking the oath of celibacy thinking that your not having sex makes you superior to others who in childlike simplicity choose to obey the natural laws by having sex.

You similarly think you are recognized by the Almighty God as pure, but in reality you are not.

12. When you feel inferior as if no one cares for you. You feel like an outcast, like someone who is in need of help but could not get. You play the victim. You believe the world should pity you.

13. When you strive for earthly excellence at all cost. You desire to be known as a scholar.

As the best staff,
the best programmer,
the best student
The most handsome
The paragon of beauty
The brilliant surgeon
The best player
The best writer
The pastor with the largest congregation
Etc...


What is common in all these is that you solely want to gain attention. It is not the desire to be genuinely helpful for the sake of mankind, but your own interest, therefore, of a low order.

For those who wants to advance in the spirit, beware of the voice of the ego. Strive to exterminate it completely. That part of you that seeks to flaunt it's abilities is the ego. It belongs to the darkness.

Therefore, do good simply because it is good. Expect No thought of reward. Do not fight for recognition but go your way calmly. Peace.