Page 118 - Complete Works of Dr. KCV Volume 1

processes. This is referred to the illusion of the soul as body (dehatma- brahma). The second level of egoism is that which refers to our statement that we do all activities or that mind it is that does all activities. This is the level of purposive psychology as contrasted with behaviouristic psychology of the first level of egoism. Whilst all activities can be shown to be directed or willed or imagined or driven by the mind, it is also clear the body plays an important role in thinking. The lower mind activities have a grosser kind of egoism than that which we observe when thinking proceeds not in relation to the directions of the body but for itself. This mental or higher mental activity is called disinterested activity because we are not directly trying to enjoy ourselves through the body and its processes. However, these activities which can be said to be evident in mathematics and other abstract sciences are effectively egoistic in so far as they are of the ego, for its satisfaction. Yet it is 'I' who think and will and feel and enjoy.
We may yet go ahead to another level of 'egoism' when we give up the self- effort as motivating all activities, mental or physical. We can consider it is the Supreme Godhead or Guru who is working in and through us, eating, smelling, enjoying, directing, knowing etc. This has been mentioned by Lord Sri Krishna when he says that it is He, who as knower of the field, (ksetrajna), does all. So much so, some try to imagine that the Divine Force as God or Guru is doing all works in one's body. One is expected to become a mere spectator (saksi-bhuta). The doing of all things at this stage is the workings of the Divine (in the individual). This is the highest in the levels of egoism.
We have to go higher and experience the whole as neither that of the body- ego nor of the mind-ego nor even that of the Guru-ego but of that Ultimate. It is said to be the state of Nature in her Ultimate Being.
This state of Tam, to which one ascends beyond the region of egoism or mind is one, in; which, one is in the condition of negation, that is, when the ego is got rid of by its being identified with it in all its activities.
There is a question raised as to whether we can call these three kinds of egoism as tamasic, rajasic and satvika egoisms. We could, however, if this experience of egoism is governed by the individual himself, it happens that even satvika egoism expresses itself in the form that one is such and such,