We all have an ego. Due to this ego that we have, we react differently under different situations, and with different people that we encounter in life.

But what are the precise effects of having a positive or negative ego? Let’s see…
A positive ego brings us happiness. Even when things seem to be going against us, when we maintain a positive attitude, we experience calmness, inner peace and contentment. In contrast, a negative ego brings nothing but misery, pain, unhappiness and uneasiness. Due to this ego, one also has to endure internal suffocation and botheration. On top of everything else, one suffers from ill-health, due to so much of tension that he is holding onto, on account of the negative ego.

Lets understand this through an example.
Say, a person is on route to work and he finds out that all trains have been cancelled.
A person with the positive ego will take things in his stride, not get stressed, will remain calm and wait for the situation to be resolved. Or he will look for answers to overcome his present predicament. Thereby, things for him will eventually get solved. And even if they do not, he will readily accept things just the way they are, after having made every effort to look for a solution.

Whereas a person with a negative ego will immediately begin to moan and complain, and will blame everyone and everything, as soon as he finds out that the trains have been cancelled. His temper will be out of control, he will be extremely stressed, unable to find a way out and will get totally absorbed in the inner turmoil and worries. By the time the train service resumes to normal, he would be already exhausted, both mentally as well as physically.

This is because negative ego sees bad or finds faults in everything he meets. As soon as he sets his eyes on someone, his mind will deduce all kind of negative opinions about that person. As a result of his bad opinions, he continues to suffer. No one wants to be around a person with a negative ego.

Whereas people get drawn to one who is kind, warm, optimistic, open and generous. A positive person sees or finds goodness in everyone and he is of a helpful disposition. He owns an obligating, considerate and kind characteristic. As a result of his virtuous nature, he experiences happiness, peacefulness and contentment in his life, all the time; and people around him also experience the same.

We all have a choice in our life to maintain either a positive or a negative ego.
When we choose to uphold a positive ego, even when everything in our life seems to be going against us, or people may be making the life difficult for us, we experience positive results only. This is the ‘law of nature’.
In the same token, a negative ego simply invites unhappiness and suffering, amidst all the luxuries and comforts present in his life.

How can you maintain a positive ego?

Begin by holding onto the intent of not to hurt any living being to the slightest extent through your thoughts, speech or body. If you keep this inner intent constantly within you, you will always be happy, and so will everyone around you.

"No one should be hurt in the slightest - such should be one’s egoism. That is the positive ego."
– Param Pujya Dadashri.

Read more: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/path-to-happiness/self-help/positive-thinkin...

Author's Bio: 

Ambalal M. Patel was a civil contractor by profession. In June 1958, spontaneous Self-Realization occurred within Ambalal M. Patel. From this point on, Ambalal became a Gnani Purush, and the Lord that manifested within him became known as Dada Bhagwan. A Gnani Purush is One who has realized the Self and is able to help others do the same. Param Pujya Dada Bhagwan used to go from town to town and country-to-country to give satsang (spiritual discourse) and impart the knowledge of the Self, as well as knowledge of harmonious worldly interactions to everyone who came to meet him. This spiritual science, known as Akram Vignan, is the step-less path to Self-realization.