Egoless
I realized that I haven't consciously worked on myself in the past few weeks, even though every day inherently represents an opportunity for self-improvement. Intentional reflection consistently guides me toward becoming a better version of myself. I recall a great teacher who conducted a self-development program during the initial weeks at Business School in Mumbai in 1996, who emphasized the powerful concept of self-acceptance. According to him, genuine transformation can only occur once we fully accept ourselves, irrespective of our flaws or past actions. Even a thief who robs strangers, like the legendary Valmiki, must first accept his identity to transform into someone capable of writing an epic such as the Ramayana.
Another influential figure from my early education was Professor Mallar, a tall, respected corporate lawyer at Johnson & Johnson, renowned in his field. He taught economic legislation but frequently embedded life lessons into his teachings. He often reminded us that the world needs smart individuals rather than overly clever ones. Over the years, these formative lessons have become core tenets of my life, which I now attempt to pass on to my, now 8 year old, Generation Alpha. Interestingly, she frequently becomes my teacher, instructing me daily on how to be not only a better parent but also a better student and human being.
Today, I find myself reflecting deeply on the idea of being egoless. Our world, and society in particular, suffers profoundly from ego issues. The insightful metaphor of a centaur and horse ego—symbolizing the ability to detach one's ego and respond neutrally—has become an essential skill in contemporary business management. Imagine the transformative effect if prestigious institutions like Stanford included "Egolessness" as a credit-bearing course for future entrepreneurs.
The implications of such education would be profound. Primarily, it would foster a neutrality of reflection, allowing people to thoughtfully respond rather than impulsively react. If I could consistently detach my ego from my interactions and respond positively or neutrally, even when confronted by negativity, I would have genuinely mastered egolessness. Running a business, particularly in the investment management sector, I constantly engage with highly competent, wealthy, and materially successful individuals. Within this environment, I observe exceptional individuals who can separate themselves from their material identities and others who cannot.
From my modest experience of 25 years in financial markets, success seems closely tied to egolessness. One cannot hold onto an ego when interacting with the markets, as they embody an overpowering collective consciousness. Markets are supreme; you can learn from them, experience them, but never truly master them. In fact, markets reveal more about ourselves—our anxieties, insecurities, and egotistical impulses—than they do about their own inner workings. Ultimately, markets serve as mirrors, reflecting our internal agitation and insecurities, and promptly punishing us for any such weaknesses.
Perhaps this explains why studying capital markets and exploring wealth generation brings me such peace. It aligns closely with my continuous journey toward egolessness. Every interaction, whether in groups or one-on-one settings, provides me an opportunity to observe my own reactions. What matters deeply to me is maintaining a state of calm and positivity even when faced with tense situations—such as unfavorable research outcome, mistakes in day to day running of a business, emotional outbursts from partners or simply my own self created overhangs. My primary concern always remains how well I respond and reflect in these moments.
Recent studies show that approximately 64% of people experience episodes of significant anger or rage regularly in their daily lives. Furthermore, nearly 32% admit that their anger negatively affects their relationships at work and at home. Such statistics underscore the critical importance of pondering egolessness. In an increasingly stressful and competitive world, developing the skill to detach from ego-driven reactions can dramatically improve interpersonal dynamics and overall well-being.
Today, I received a disgruntled email and recently faced direct anger in a separate instance, prompting me to introspect deeply on my level of egolessness. Initially disturbed, I paused to reflect, ultimately responding to the email positively, surprising myself with my ability to handle negativity constructively. Moments like these reaffirm my love for the ongoing journey of self-acceptance and self-development. Although far from perfect, I embrace each day as a fresh chance to improve.
I still imagine how transformative it could be if society embraced moments of egolessness as widely as mindfulness or consciousness. Consider how significantly our communication would improve, how fewer conflicts and litigations we would have, and how collectively we could create a healthier environment and greater positive impact.
Indeed, how much less warlike the world would be.