Question: I'd like to ask about the ego, especially about how the word is used in our culture—it's often made out to be an enemy, something to be extinguished. It seems that there is such a thing, and it is related to barriers and limitations to awareness. I'm wondering how to bridge the gap; I have a negative reaction to the term. Could you expand on it? Also, many people wish to extinguish the ego to obtain enlightenment. What's the benefit to that?

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