The Double Vision of Ego

A Zen Koan.

A wise master was once asked a question by his student — "Where is my ego?"

"It is right before your eyes," — said the master.

"Why can’t I see it for myself?"

"Because you are thinking of yourself."

"What about you: can you see my ego?"

"So long as you see double, saying I don't and you do, and so on, your eyes are clouded," said the master.

"When there is neither 'I' nor 'You,' can one see it?"

"When there is neither 'I' nor 'You,' who is the one that wants to see it?"