Eckhart Tolle visited monasteries and found that monks claiming to have let go often built new egos around that achievement. The ego is subtle enough to hide inside spiritual practice itself. For most people, the real work is staying present with what life brings and takes away.
I've spent time in Buddhist monasteries. I have also visited Christian monasteries. And I can tell you, often the good intentions don't actually work. They still have big egos in many cases, with some exceptions. Self-image comes back as me, the one who has let go of everything and is therefore superior to you who have not let go of everything. So the ego is so cunning. And subtle. You have to be truly vigilant. So for most of you, you just have to deal with what life gives you or what life takes away from you. That's your practice.
Why alcohol feels like relief, and what it is really giving you | Eckhart Tolle
