WHAT IS THE GREATEST VICTORY?

[Ms Tercy Lonan]

22. WHAT IS THE GREATEST VICTORY?
There is nothing more essential, more absolutely indispensable, to be overcome and
defeated than the ego. It is the greatest bondage. It is the greatest enemy standing in the way of all
that is good for you, all that is auspicious, blessed and supreme. It is what stands in the way.
Long, long ago it was asked: “What is the real victory? Is it that of a great emperor leading
his vast, invincible armies across a border, defeating an opposing army and conquering a new
territory, or is it the overcoming of oneself by oneself?” They answered that the latter was the true
victory, the real victory. Not the conquest of territory, but the conquest of oneself is the greatest
victory.
It is also the greatest emancipation: “Then shall I be free, when ‘I’ shall cease to be.” They
also declared: “mano buddhy ahankara chittani na’ham ( I am not the mind, nor the intellect, nor
the ego, nor even the mind stuff).” Therefore, to give a semblance of reality to the ego is the greatest
ignorance, and to be in a state of identification with the ego is the greatest ajnana, the greatest
avidya, and the greatest affliction—from which all creation is suffering and due to which all
creation is causing suffering to everyone else.
This is a mystical, metaphysical fact. All discord, all disharmony, all clash and
conflict—everything that becomes a source of pain, suffering and discontent—is rooted in the great
blunder of giving importance to that which is the greatest enemy, the greatest bondage, the greatest
of all afflictions. We, in fact, yield to the enemy and accept defeat when we allow the ego to rule our
life. We perpetuate our bondage. We make ourselves slaves by allowing the ego to dominate our
life.
You cannot walk in two directions at the same time. All the world is suffering and weeping
due to the tyranny of the ego over the human individual and the living of his life from day to day. If
this is recognised, already light has dawned. If this is recognised, already the process of overcoming
has started. If this is recognised, already the bonds are starting to fall apart. They can no longer hold
you. You are moving towards emancipation and liberation. You are moving towards sure victory.
And, you are moving towards jyoti, Light: “tamaso ma jyotir gamaya (Lead us from
darkness to Light).” You are now nearing the wondrous time when this gift will be yours and you
will no longer slumber, you are no longer in darkness, you are no longer in ignorance. This is the
truth! Once, twice and thrice, this is the truth!
This then is worth pondering, assimilating and applying every day of your life if you really
want to attain supreme blessedness—if you really want your life to be truly successful, if you really
want to become blessed, liberated beings even in this very life, a jivan-mukta even in this very life.
You have the golden key. Blessed is he, blessed is that being, that seeker, who having
received the golden key will no longer keep quiet, but will insert the key in the lock, open it and go
out into the freedom that is everywhere at all times. This will indeed be the greatest step, the greatest
moment in the spiritual life and the greatest victory!