Objectifying Consciousness

M. There is the absolute Self from which a spark proceeds as [does a spark] from a fire. The spark is called the ego. In the case of an ignorant man, it identifies itself with an object simultaneously with its rise. It cannot remain independent of such association with objects. This association is ajnana or ignorance, whose destruction is the objective of our efforts. If its objectifying tendency is killed, it remains pure, and also merges into the source. The wrong identification with the body is dehatmabuddhi (the ‘I-am-the-body’ idea). This must go before good results follow.