DISCOURSES Volume II - Avatar Meher Baba Trust

THE NATURE OF THE EGO AND ITS TERMINATION: III 81integration of human experience it would have been possible forone to get established in the final Truth merely by carrying furtherEgo attempts integrationaround false ideathe activity of the ego. But while playing aspecific part in the progress ofconsciousness, the ego also represents anactive principle of ignorance which prevents further spiritualdevelopment. The ego attempts the integration of experience, but itdoes so around the false idea of separateness. Having taken anillusion as a foundation for the construction of its edifice, it neversucceeds in anything but the building of illusions one uponanother. Arriving at the Truth is actually hindered rather thanhelped by the function of the ego. The process of arriving at theTruth can be fruitful only if the integration presided over by theego is carried further without bringing in the basic ignorance ofseparateness.As long as human experience lies within the limitation ofduality, integration of experience is an inevitable condition for arational and significant life. But the ego as a nucleus for integrationMaster becomes newnucleus of integrationhas to be renounced because of itsinevitable alliance with the forces ofignorance. There arises then an imperativeneed for a new centre of integration which will steer clear of thebasic ignorance of separateness, and which will allow free scopefor the incorporation of all values which were inaccessible to theego-centre. Such a new centre is provided by the Master whoexpresses all that has real value, and who represents the absoluteTruth. The shifting of interest from unimportant things toimportant values is facilitated by allegiance and self-surrender tothe Master who becomes the new nucleus for integration.The Master, when truly understood, is a standing affirmationof the unity of all life. Allegiance to the Master, therefore