Asmita: Returning to Who We Truly Are
- Priscilla Lêite
- Nov 16
- 4 min read
In the journey of yoga, few teachings are as transformative—and as gently confronting—as Asmita, the second kleśa described by Sage Patañjali in the Yoga Sūtras. Asmita is often translated as ego, but in yogic philosophy it means something more subtle and more pervasive: the mistaken belief that the impermanet, external layers of our identity are who we truly are.
Patañjali writes in Yoga Sūtra II.6:
Dṛg-darśana-śaktyor ekātmatā iva asmitā.
“Asmita is the identification of the Seer with the instrument of seeing.”
In simpler terms, we confuse the true Self, which is pure awareness, with the mind, the body, the roles we play, the stories we carry, and the masks we learn to wear.
Yoga recognizes this confusion as one of the fundamental obstacles to freedom. But it also offers us tools, practices, and insights to dissolve this illusion and return to who we have always been.
The Ego Isn’t the Enemy — It’s Just Not the Whole Story
In the modern world, “ego” often gets a bad reputation. But yoga doesn’t villainize the ego. It simply invites us to see it clearly.
The ego is useful. It helps us navigate society, build relationships, make choices, and create a sense of individuality. The problem arises when we believe the ego is the whole self.
As Swami Sivananda beautifully said:
The ego is a veil between humans and God.
It is not darkness—it is simply a veil. And veils can be lifted.
Asmita becomes harmful when we identify so strongly with “I, me, mine” that we forget the deeper, more spacious identity beneath. This is why yoga invites us not to destroy the ego, but to put it in its proper place—as a tool, not a master.
How Asmita Shows Up in Everyday Life
Asmita is not dramatic. It is subtle, quiet, woven into our thoughts and reactions:
Comparing our body to someone else’s on the mat
Feeling proud of mastering a pose—or ashamed of struggling
Becoming attached to the idea of being “a good yogi”
Reacting defensively when someone disagrees with us
Feeling threatened when our identity or beliefs are challenged
Needing validation to feel worthy
These small moments reveal how strongly we cling to a constructed self.
Patañjali explains earlier in the Yoga Sūtras (I.2) that the purpose of yoga is:
Yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ.
“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.”
When the mind quiets, the ego becomes transparent, and the deeper Self shines through naturally.
Seeing Through the Illusion
One of the most powerful ways to dissolve Asmita is to simply watch. Observe your thoughts, your emotions, your reactions. Notice how often the inner narrative begins with:
“I need…”
“I want…”
“I should…”
“They think I…”
If you can observe the story, then you cannot be the story.The observer is always deeper, quieter, and truer than the one speaking in the mind.
This is why Swami Vivekananda said:
The ego is but a thin layer of dust obscuring the brilliance of the soul.
Yoga is the process of gently brushing away that dust.
The yoga mat is a mirror, and Asmita loves to reveal itself there.
You may know the feeling:
Struggling with a posture and thinking, “Why can’t I do this?”
Looking around and comparing yourself.
Feeling proud of achieving a pose you once couldn’t.
Pushing your body beyond its signals because you want to be seen as strong, capable, or advanced.
These moments are not failures. They are invitations. Opportunities to see the ego with compassio, not judgment.
When we practice with humility and presence, we shift from performing yoga to embodying yoga. From proving something to discovering something. From identification to liberation.
Dissolving the Ego: Practices for Daily Life
Dissolving Asmita doesn’t require dramatic moments of awakening. It happens slowly, steadily, through everyday mindfulness.
1. Practice Witness Consciousness
Notice your thoughts without becoming them. Ask yourself: “Who is aware of this thought?”
2. Release Labels
Instead of saying “I am anxious,” try “Anxiety is present.” Language changes perception.
3. Soften in Conflict
When triggered, pause and ask: “Is it my truth speaking, or my identity being threatened?”
4. Let the Body Guide
On the mat, focus on sensation instead of appearance. Shift from “How do I look?” to “How do I feel?”
5. Serve Others Without Credit
Anonymity softens the ego and strengthens the heart.
The Great Unlearning
Asmita is essentially a misunderstanding of self. Yoga is the unlearning of that misunderstanding.
When the ego quiets—even briefly—we discover something extraordinary:
A Self that is peaceful, expansive, connected, and whole. A Self that cannot be diminished or improved, because it is already complete. A Self that existed before your roles and will remain long after them.
As the sages teach:
“Tat tvam asi” — “You are That.”(Chandogya Upaniṣad)
And ultimately:
“Aham Brahmāsmi” — “I am Brahman, the infinite.”(Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad)
Not the small I—but the boundless I.
Dissolving Asmita is not about losing yourself. It is about remembering the part of you that cannot be lost.
When you recognize that you are not your thoughts, not your reputation, not your success, not your failures—what remains is the quiet radiance of pure Being. This is the heart of yoga. Not flexibility, but freedom. Not achievement, but awareness. Not becoming, but remembering.
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