Way of The Seekers — Page 103
103 THE overcome all opposition is strengthened. This can be done by constant reflection that every obstruction will be swept aside. 3. The third method of strengthening the ego is to foster the determination to achieve whatever may be needed. There should be concentration on whatever may appear difficult to achieve. This would boost the ego. 4. The capacity of resisting whatever may be harmful should be fostered. 5. Steadfastness should be fostered. This too nourishes the ego. Steadfastness may be difficult to attain in all cases, and in some it may appear impossible, but it should not be ignored. Steadfastness in some situations would foster steadfastness in others. This should help to buttress the ego. 6. Prudence. This too results from the urge of survival. Due consideration of all aspects of a situation would promote self-control and the capacity to keep a secret, and would stimulate wisdom and the sense of expediency. The ego would consequently become stronger. 7. Mental effort to promote caution, alertness, cleverness and farsightedness would also help to foster the ego. 8. Aversion to being praised, and refusal to listen to it, would strengthen the ego. Praise slaughters the ego like a sharp knife. The Holy Quran expounds this beautifully. It says: Imagine that those who exult in their deeds and love to be praised for that which they have not done are secure from punishment They shall suffer a grievous chastisement (3:189) Such people readily believe what others say in their praise, but do not pause to consider whether they have truly done anything praiseworthy. They do not perform much and rest content with whatever little they happen to have done. They are eager to believe what others say in their praise.