As you identify less and less with the 'me,' you will be more at ease with everybody and with everything. Do you know why? Because you are no longer afraid of being hurt or not liked. You no longer desire to impress anyone. Can you imagine the relief when you don't have to impress anybody anymore? Oh, what a relief. Happiness at last! You no longer feel the need or the compulsion to explain things anymore. It's all right. What is there to be explained? And you don't feel the need or compulsion to apologize anymore. I'd much rather hear you say, 'I've come awake,' than hear you say, 'I'm sorry.' I'd much rather hear you say to me, 'I've come awake since we last met; what I did to you won't happen again,' than to hear you say, 'I'm so sorry for what I did to you.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- When you stop identifying with the ego, you feel less fear, need for approval, and the urge to explain or apologize.
- In plain terms
- Less ego means more ease and happiness.
- What can you take from it?
- Release the need to impress others for inner peace.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What parts of your identity serve you versus hinder you?
- How can you balance self‑confidence with humility?
Another view
Some degree of self‑image can motivate positive action.
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