The unawakened ego submits passively to the lower influences which come to
it out of the shadows of its own long past and to the sense-stirring
suggestions which come to it out of the surroundings in which it moves. But
when it has found and surrendered to the Overself in the heart, this blind,
mechanical responsiveness comes to an end and an aroused, enlightened, fully
aware, inner rulership replaces it.

~ Paul Brunton