If you read any eastern literature, you'll find a deep philosophical perspective that comes with those eastern practices. But they want to import, measure and u

If you read any eastern literature, you'll find a deep philosophical perspective that comes with those eastern practices. But they want to import, measure and understand those practices using the scientific/capitalistic/individualistic lens and then come and make bold statements such as the one in the tile to something they clearly don't understand. The way I understood it, is that the ego is the abstraction that society and by extension individuals places on the self, when a monk or a spiritual person lets go of everything society tries to label him with, and silence then mind, his mind is not noisier than that of a dog or other animals. But if you are doing Yoga and meditation while constantly thinking about self-improvement, then that is the opposite of what those practices are aiming for which is letting go. Personally, I think the concept of self has merits on many occasions. Having self-confidence, self-love, self-esteem etc, are all useful, especially in social settings. But sometimes, it is beneficial to tune that concept down. When someone is struggling, not doing well in life, and having many negative and self-critical thoughts, perhaps it is better to tune those thoughts down and just focus on whatever is at hand.