Sometimes, it seems that people become more self-centered through mantra meditation in yoga. I was wondering why some children who seemed quiet become more self-centered as they engage in focused mantra meditation. According to my inner guide, there are two reasons for this.

- Originally, they were living with a mask hiding their true, fiery nature. The mantra meditation peels off this mask, revealing their true selves, which may appear as increased self-centeredness, but it was their true nature all along.
- Mantra meditation is performed using the thinking mind (astral realm, or chitta in yoga), which inevitably stimulates the ego. While mantra meditation is effective in dispelling distractions, continuing mantra meditation after distractions have subsided tends to strengthen the ego.

This is both good and bad. Yoga meditation is generally good, but if you don't change your approach even after making some progress, it tends to strengthen the ego. When there are many distractions, it is necessary to focus your thoughts on one point to detach from the distractions. Something to cling to is especially necessary at the beginning. That "something" might be a mantra. In that sense, mantra meditation in yoga is very effective. However, if you continue to meditate according to the instructions even after achieving a certain level of stillness, the ego, which has become weaker and calmer, may become reactivated and strengthened.

Spiritual growth requires a certain level of intuition, and it is important to understand your own state and respond flexibly. If you do not understand and simply follow the instructions, you may end up doing too much or producing unintended results without realizing it.

In meditation, concentration and observation are two essential aspects, and both must be combined to reach a state of gratitude and love. However, some schools overemphasize one of these aspects.

Ultimately, it depends on what the individual is seeking. If someone wants to strengthen their ego and live a strong life, continuing mantra meditation may be in line with their goals. That is something they should decide for themselves.

On the other hand, if someone wants to go beyond the ego and reach a state of love and gratitude, some adjustments are necessary. In such cases, it may be better to switch to a meditation that simply focuses, or a meditation that expresses gratitude, rather than continuing with mantra meditation. It is often difficult to determine this on your own, so it is reassuring to have a good teacher. However, if there is no teacher, it is necessary to carefully assess your own state and make adjustments if you feel any discomfort, in order to determine your own direction.