Either way, Ego may increase: Whether desires are fulfilled or not fulfilled, Ego can increase.

If desires are fulfilled, Ego can increase because of the pride and other emotions associated with attaining ones goals. Ego even further takes on the identities related to those objects of desire.

If desires are not fulfilled, Ego can increase because of the frustration and other emotions associated with not attaining ones goals. Ego seeks to defend its stance, and thus increases.

Either way, one can end up facing the challenge of an increased sense of Ego.

Ego and desire are two primary emotions: Egoism, or ahamkara, is one of the two primary emotions (along with the prime desire, kama). Notice carefully how this works.

Two meanings of "Ego" It is extremely important to understand that the word Ego is used in two different ways. One is the psychological use of the word and the other is according to Yoga. Both are equally valid and the terms can properly be used in both ways. However, it is necessary to know the two concepts so that it is easy to discern which way the word is being used in a given sentence.

See the section on Two Egos in the Four Functions of Mind article.

Ego gives individuality and separation: Because of ahamkara, we are individuals, but then ahamkara also separates us from the whole. This “I” refers to ourselves as separate from others, and becomes the center of our lives.

Four functions of mind: To understand the origin of ahamkara (the "I"), it is very important to understand the Four Functions of Mind. We are like a wheel, which needs both spokes and a hub to rotate. The hub is the still Center of Consciousness and the four spokes are the four functions of mind, one of which is ahamkara. The Four Functions of Mind are:

• Ahamkara, the ego or "I-maker"

• Manas, the sensory-motor mind that directs the ten senses or indriyas

• Buddhi, which knows, decides, judges, and discriminates

• Chitta, the storehouse of all of these, along with the countless deep impressions).

Emotion is stronger than intelligence: Intelligence has no power before bhava, the power of emotion. But intelligence, if properly handled, can channel emotional power so that we can use it positively. Learning to use bhava properly is essential to successful living and working with Karma. If one can use that emotional power, the highest state of ecstasy can be attained in a second’s time.

Spiritual bliss is not an emotion: It is important to note that the emotions of personality that interact with mental process are at a different level of reality or consciousness than the bliss, or ananda that is deeper in our being. This is explained in  an article on the Koshas (sheaths), paying particular attention to the descriptions of manamaya kosha and anandamaya kosha.