If we are "born" we are not innocent. Because to be "born" is to be separate from God. That is the meaning of the word "born".Mark Williems wrote:At birth, we are all innocent; we do not have an Ego.
In fact there is much to be liberated from. Not just our culture. But also the material world and this universe, and more. Animals for instance also desire liberation although they have no culture.
Equating "the ego" with "all that is bad" is a mistake.
And it leads to many wrong understandings, and much jumping to conclusions, and much declaring of victory when you have barely left the ground.
An ordinary human without the ego would be mad. And in fact for many this is what madness is, the drop the ego ... and there is nothing but madness. Because nothing has been developed within.
For something to develop within that is Real, needs the ego's protection, for the ego creates continuity even through the devastation of unconscious, the ego is able hold something.
Tolle ridicules the ego. Because the ego is negative. So ... he is being just the negative ego in another guise.
That's clear isn't it, actually rather obvious. Just like people who say "I am you" but they don't know what you had for breakfast. Their conclusion is incorrect, you are not me.
We must try harder to understand these things, or we are not worthy.
And we must try to understand what sincerity actually is.