I explained that at times I felt torn between these two opposing inclinationsóto be constructive in society and to be self-serving. He laughed heartily.

"Good one, mate! Here's one of the great puzzles in life: how to do good for others and at the same time for yourself. And where's the line between? I still have that in me head, too," he chuckled. "I asked the Maharishi about it the other day, and he said ego is not a bad thing. Actually, it's a good thing. The important thing, he said, was whether our ego manifestations result in good for others or in hurt for others. That's where you draw the line, mate. That's how you tell. Then we're doing good for others while we're doing good for ourselves."

He paused, and smiled. "You know, Paul, it's like the civil rights work you did. Someone said you were in the American South registering blacks for the vote a few years ago. Your civil rights work is a bloody good example of your ego doing something good for others and also feeling good about yourself at the same time."

"Yes, that's true." I responded. He tilted his head to the side, and raised an eyebrow as if to say, "There you go," and went back to writing in his notebook.