UPBUILDING THE SELF

Can I Be Successful If I Give Up My Ego?

My ego drives me to achieve, and if I were to give up my ego, wouldn't I also be giving up that drive and all my future successes?

With this prompt as the starting point, Vipin, Rasanath, and Michael dive into the nuanced relationship between the ego and ambition, exploring whether our quest for success is truly driven by the ego – or if there's a deeper force at play. Drawing on timeless teachings from Eastern wisdom, particularly the Bhagavad-gita, the hosts examine how the ego shapes our desires, motivations, and definitions of success. Through candid personal stories, philosophical insights, and practical reflections, they challenge the idea that surrendering the ego means surrendering ambition. Instead, they offer fresh perspectives on how aligning with the true self can lead to more authentic, fulfilling achievements.

Podcast Hosts: Michael, Vipin and Rasanath

Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform

Highlights

  • [01:30] Defining the ego and defining success

  • [3:00] The definitions of success from Tony Robbins, Warren Buffet, Bob Dylan, and Mark Cuban

  • [11:10] The mindset behind ego-driven success

  • [13:20] Rasanath’s Wall Street example

  • [14:50] Michael’s experiences on the soccer field

  • [20:30] What would drive me without my ego?

  • [22:40] The Four Levels of Motivation

  • [24:45] What it looks like to be driven by values

  • [29:50] Detaching ourselves from outcomes

  • [32:00] Do I have to stop pursuing success If I want my ego to stop running my life?

  • [35:50] Drive aligned with purpose and values

  • [44:20] Concluding remarks and a call to action

Quotes

  • “Who I think I should be is always surrounded by…fear and control. And because of [this], the energy around who I think I should be is proving and defending. Whereas [when I am being] who I am, the energy around that is love and service.” - Rasanath

  • “Whether it's fame, wealth, or a certain position, we are largely pursuing those things because we think that they will make us happy.” - Vipin

  • “My ego does drive me, but it's also not true that without the ego, I wouldn't have drive.” - Michael

  • “The definition of success has gotten so warped and the price that we pay for it is completely unregulated.” - Rasanath

For first timers, welcome to Upbuilding the Self

About the podcast: Two former monks, a former startup founder and CEO, and a former equity derivatives trader dive into how to be our best selves, free from the ego. Our egos are the identities we create for ourselves and wish the world to validate, but when we are not seen as we want to be, we feel insecure. This podcast lives at the intersection of leadership and spirituality. It will help you understand your ego and shed light on your inner world so that you can act with greater clarity, compassion, and the freedom to be your best self.

We also have three upcoming programs. Please reserve your spot ASAP.