Why Your Ego Is Essential To Living Your Soul’s Purpose
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 8
- 8 min read
Dhivyaa Chelvan is a transformational coach, energy healer, and author of The Art of Authenticity: Live your Unique Essence. She helps women reclaim their purpose, embody their power, and build lives and businesses rooted in ancient wisdom, energetic alignment, and soulful authenticity.
In many spiritual teachings, the ego or “I-ness” is often portrayed as something to be dissolved, transcended, or shed on the path to enlightenment. While there is wisdom in quieting over-identification with the self, the Ayurvedic tradition also offers a more layered understanding of the ego. Known as Ahamkara, the ego is not inherently a block to spiritual growth; it is, in fact, a necessary structure that allows us to function, express, and evolve in the world.
In this article, we explore how ego, when consciously integrated across the five koshas (layers of the self), becomes a vital ally in fulfilling our soul's purpose. True transcendence, after all, comes not from abandoning the “I,” but from realizing I am That the individual and the infinite, in harmony.
What is the ego and why does it matter?
In the Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, the ego is referred to as Ahamkara, which translates to “the I-maker.” It is the part of us that identifies with form, role, and individuality, the voice that says, “This is me” and “That is not me.” It is not a flaw to be eradicated, but a natural expression of being human.
Modern spiritual discourse often encourages us to dissolve or transcend the ego, as if it’s a hurdle on the path to awakening. But from an integrative lens, ego is not something to be shamed or denied, it is something to be purified, aligned, and used as a sacred instrument of soul expression.
Ego gives us structure. Without it, we would have no sense of self to navigate the world, make decisions, or relate to others. We wouldn’t know where we begin and end physically, emotionally, or energetically. It is the ego that allows us to take action, build resilience, and say yes to our unique path.
When ego is unbalanced, rooted in fear, attachment, or comparison, it distorts our self-image and disconnects us from our essence. But when ego is anchored in truth, it becomes a vehicle for a purpose. It offers the boundaries we need to walk a sovereign path, and the courage to express our soul's calling in the world.
True spiritual growth isn’t about erasing the ego, but about evolving it from one that is grasping, protective, and image-driven, to one that is devotional, rooted, and in service to the higher Self.
We are not here to kill the “I.” We are here to let the “I” remember its place in the whole, as a facet of the divine, uniquely shaped to carry out a purpose only it can fulfill.
The five layers of self and the role of the ego in each
In Ayurveda and yogic philosophy, the self is understood as being composed of five koshas, or sheath layers through which consciousness expresses and evolves. When we examine the ego through these layers, we begin to see that it is not a singular entity, but a multifaceted presence that lives and breathes through every dimension of our being.
Each layer offers a unique relationship with ego, and when balanced, each layer helps us root more deeply into our authentic purpose.
1. Physical layer (Annamaya Kosha)
This is the densest layer of our body, structure, and physical identity. Here, ego gives us a sense of individuality through our appearance, health, habits, and how we move through the world.
Without ego at this layer, we would neglect the sacred responsibility of caring for our bodies. It is the “I” that says: “This is my body, I must nourish and protect it.”
When aligned, ego at the physical layer empowers us to embody our purpose to walk, speak, and act in service to our dharma.
2. Energetic layer (Pranamaya Kosha)
This is the sheath of life-force energy, our breath, vitality, and flow. At this level, the ego directs where our energy goes. Do we leak our prana in pursuit of approval? Or do we conserve and channel it toward what truly matters?
The balanced ego here sets energetic boundaries and creates the vitality needed to sustain purposeful living. It learns to say, “This is where I invest my energy. This is where I say no.”
3. Mental layer (Manomaya Kosha)
This kosha governs our thoughts, emotional responses, and the stories we carry. At this level, ego expresses through our inner dialogue, our interpretations of others, and our personal sense of right and wrong.
An imbalanced ego here may lead us into defensiveness, perfectionism, or self-doubt. But when it evolves, the ego becomes emotionally intelligent, able to witness without clinging, to feel deeply without being defined by those feelings. It says, “I feel this, and I am also more than this.”
4. Wisdom layer (Vijnanamaya Kosha)
This is the layer of discernment, higher intellect, and intuitive knowing. Here, ego forms the identity that drives our decisions: “This is what I believe in. This is the truth I stand for.”When distorted, the ego in this layer may grasp at being “right,” seeking to control outcomes. But in its highest expression, it aligns with inner guidance. It trusts in divine timing and begins to merge with the wisdom of the higher self.
5. Spiritual layer (Anandamaya Kosha)
This is the most subtle sheath of the bliss body, the part of us that remembers we are one with the source. Ego at this level dissolves into devotion. It no longer asks, “Who am I apart from others?” but instead whispers, “I am That.”
This is not ego death, but ego transcendence through integration. The “I” is still present, but now it bows in reverence to the greater whole. This is the sacred ego, the part of us that can carry out soul work in the world while anchored in truth, humility, and joy.
Reclaiming the ego as a sacred tool
In many spiritual spaces, we are taught to suppress or bypass the ego in the name of transcendence. While well-intentioned, this approach can sometimes lead to spiritual bypassing, a disconnection from the very parts of ourselves that long to be seen, healed, and integrated.
The truth is, ego is not something we need to reject. It is something we are meant to refine.
The Ayurvedic and yogic traditions recognize that ego (Ahamkara) is part of our design, a divine tool for navigating the human experience. Rather than seeing it as something to dissolve, we can begin to see it as something to align with and consciously shape and evolve in service of our soul’s highest truth.
When the ego is unconscious, it can distort our path. It clings to comparison, fears visibility, and seeks external validation. But when ego is rooted in awareness and aligned with the heart, it becomes a powerful ally in living our dharma. It helps us set boundaries, take up space, and move through the world with clarity and confidence.
We do not awaken by abandoning the “I.”
We awaken by remembering that the “I” is sacred, a facet of the infinite, here for a reason.
By reclaiming the ego as a sacred tool, we stop fighting with ourselves. We start building a bridge between our individuality and the divine, where the ego no longer separates us from purpose, but becomes the very channel through which purpose expresses.
Integration becomes the path.
Not ego death, but ego maturity.
Not detachment, but devotion to the truth of who we really are:
An embodied soul, with a unique voice, in a temporary form, on a sacred mission.
3 ways to work with your ego instead of against it
True liberation doesn’t come from rejecting the ego, it comes from relating to it. When we treat the ego as something to fight, it resists and contracts. But when we learn to meet it with awareness, curiosity, and compassion, it softens, evolves, and becomes an ally in our growth.
Here are three gentle, grounded ways to work with your ego instead of against it:
1. Witness the “I” with curiosity
Begin by simply observing your ego in action, not with judgment, but with compassionate awareness. Notice the stories it tells, the roles it clings to, and the reactions it has. When you catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “I need to prove myself,” pause and ask:
“Who is speaking right now?”
“What is this part of me trying to protect?”
This practice of witnessing dissolves reactivity and opens the door to self-inquiry. It allows you to hold space for your ego while choosing to lead from your higher self.
2. Rewire the ego’s role through NLP & conscious repetition
The ego is shaped by repetition. Over time, it internalizes messages that become our inner script. But with intentional reprogramming using NLP techniques, affirmations, and visualization, we can rewrite that script.
Replace outdated patterns like “I am not ready” with “I am safe to take up space.” Instead of “Who am I to do this?”, try “I am uniquely designed for this path.”
When repeated often and anchored in the body (through breathwork, movement, or mantra), these new affirmations begin to reshape the ego from within.
3. Balance ego with devotion and surrender
Ego thrives on control but evolves through trust. Create practices that help you surrender to something greater: your dharma, your intuition, the divine.
This might look like a simple morning prayer:
“May this work be of service. May my voice be used for healing. May I be guided by truth.”
When the ego knows it doesn’t have to carry it all alone, it begins to relax into something more meaningful, a sacred partnership with purpose.
Final thoughts
The ‘I’ is not the illusion, the separation is
In many spiritual traditions, there’s a common misconception that the ego, the “I” must be dissolved to awaken. But in truth, it is the ego that gives shape to our human experience and anchors us in the journey toward the infinite.
When we attempt to dissolve the “I” entirely, we risk disconnecting from the very vessel through which our soul expresses its essence. True liberation is not about erasing individuality, but about recognizing its sacred role within the greater whole. The illusion to transcend is not the ego itself, but the perceived separation it sometimes carries.
When integrated, the “I” becomes a participant in unity, not a force of resistance, but a partner in creation.
Honor every layer of your being. Allow the ego to evolve from protective and fragmented to devotional, aligned, and purposeful. When that happens, the story of “I am” doesn’t disappear. It expands into the truth: “I am That.”
Ready to dive deeper?
If you're feeling the pull to explore this further, my book The Art of Authenticity: Live your Unique Essence offers a journey through the five elements and layers of your being to help you embody your deepest truth. Ready to step into your soul’s unique calling?
Read more from Dhivyaa Chelvan
Dhivyaa Chelvan, Author, Transformational Coach, Energy Healer
Dhivyaa Chelvan is a transformational coach, energy healer, and author of The Art of Authenticity: Live Your Unique Essence, a guide to healing through the five elements and living in alignment with the soul’s truth. She bridges ancient feminine wisdom with modern entrepreneurship, supporting women through retreats, mentorship, and sacred containers. Her work draws from Ayurveda, somatic healing, and ancestral wisdom to help women reclaim their power and purpose. Dhivyaa is devoted to guiding others in remembering their wholeness, worthiness, and creative potential.
