From the beginning, it was a fantasy. However, many ordinary people live thinking that their ego is themselves. In Vedanta, what people mistakenly believe to be themselves is called "Jiva." This term refers to the thinking self and the self as memory (Chitta in Yoga). In other words, the "I" in the sense of self that ordinary people think they are is the Jiva.

And that Jiva is nothing but an illusion, and it is written in the scriptures, and it is not just a matter of knowledge, but it is actually the case. As meditation progresses, one realizes that the higher self (Atman, or Higher Self, True Self) is the true self, but until one becomes aware of that, one mistakenly believes that the Jiva is oneself.

The Jiva is a mistaken, illusory self that believes that "thinking" and the "physical body" are itself. However, until one awakens to the consciousness of the Higher Self or is taught by the scriptures, one continues to live deeply within that illusion.

In reality, whether or not the individual's Jiva is aware of it, and whether or not the Jiva believes that it is itself and that "I think, therefore I am," and that the body is everything, the Higher Self has always been the original true self from the very beginning, or even before that. Whether or not the conscious mind becomes aware of it, the Higher Self has always been the true self, and it will always be so.

■Yielding Control to the Higher Self

Therefore, in a sense, the idea that the ego is oneself is a fantasy, and it can be interpreted as a metaphor. However, it is not just a metaphor, but it is true because it is truly so.

Initially, people live thinking that the Jiva is themselves. However, as they continue meditation and spiritual practice, they first realize that it is an illusion through knowledge, and eventually, they actually become aware of it in the sense that it is truly so.

As awareness dawns, the Jiva gradually begins to yield control to the Higher Self (Atman, True Self). The Higher Self is basically calm, so the Jiva humbly says, "I, the Jiva (ego, self), have been mistaken. You (Higher Self, True Self, Atman) are the true self, so I yield control to you. Please live as you wish."

In response, the Higher Self quietly accepts the leadership and says, "Yes, I understand."

However, even before this, the Jiva (individual self) was acting as it pleased, but the Higher Self was still the true self and the one in control. The Jiva has simply realized that it was mistaken.

Previously, the Jiva was moving its thoughts and body as it pleased. However, after the Jiva relinquishes its leadership to the Higher Self, the Jiva and the Higher Self will work together.

Previously, even though the Higher Self was originally in control, its instructions were not effectively conveyed to the Jiva, requiring repeated explanations, and the Jiva often ignored or misunderstood them, which prevented the "self" from functioning effectively.

However, now that the Jiva is aware of the Higher Self and has relinquished its control, the Jiva will continue to live its daily life in this three-dimensional world, and its thoughts and actions will not change significantly. However, in its daily life, the Jiva will receive and follow the instructions of the Higher Self more accurately.

■ Cooperation between the Jiva (ego) and the Higher Self.

As long as the physical body still exists and the normal conscious mind is present, the physical actions in this world and the thoughts of the mind will continue. Therefore, even though the Jiva has relinquished its control, its role will continue as before. However, the difference is that the Jiva, which previously thought it was "me," has now reached a true understanding that the Higher Self is the true self, and will follow the instructions of the Higher Self. Also, the Jiva will refrain from unnecessary actions and behaviors that were performed because it mistakenly thought it was "me."

The Higher Self will live for the Higher Self.

Even after that, the Jiva will be responsible for controlling the body and mind (thinking mind). However, gradually, the Jiva's sense of self will diminish, and eventually, only the physical body and mind (thinking mind) as functions will remain, and the "I" of the Jiva, which was a mistaken self, will disappear, leaving only the self-awareness of the Higher Self.

When you go that far, it means that the Jiva does not exist. However, even if you don't go that far, in an intermediate state, the Jiva and the Higher Self still coexist, and they cooperate with each other.

As long as you have a physical body and use your mind (thinking mind) to consider things, during this life on Earth, some degree of Jiva consciousness is always generated, and it probably won't completely become zero. However, the awareness of the Higher Self gradually increases, and that is the true thing. The awareness that the self as a Jiva is just an illusion deepens.