HAUMAI
The term Haumai has its roots in the word Aham, i.e. ‘I’ and ‘I’.
Haumai is the belief in the supremacy of ‘self’ i.e. ego.
According to Sikhism, it is Haumai, which stands as an obstacle between God and Man. But, this Haumai too is the creation of God. When a human being understands the delusion of ego, the breach/distance between him and Him disappears. Shabad (the Word) can make us understand the delusion of Haumai. When one chooses to live by obeying His Hukam (Will/Order), Haumai is purged. Meaning thereby Haumai is veil (of falsehood); it is a breach created by listening to emotions and not God.
The Guru call it Deeragh Rog (chronic disease). The Guru has diagnosed this disease (ego) and have also suggested its cure: Daaru Bhi Is Mahi (cure from Haumai is inherent in it, i.e. purgation of Haumai by meditating on His Name) [Guru Granth Sahib, p. 466].
To overcome Haumai one should absorb oneself in loving devotion of God. One should seek the company of Saadh Sangat (those who are devotees of God). Still the final medicine is the Grace of God. It is His Grace that eradicates ego.
In Sikh literature Haumai has been used as an ethical phenomenon also. In that case it means ego:
The ego, the love (worldly) are charming,
All are robbed by vanity.
Those who forget the Name (of God),
And are busy in other deeds,
They are in duality, dead by burning,
The fire of lust is still in them. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.19)
Even when having Purakh (God) in home,
He has not realized; such people are robbed by ego and pride.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.34)
All created is the network of Maya;
It is load of ego, greed, doubt and fear. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.292)
The world is astraying in ego, in evil wisdom, in evil deeds, in poison.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.312)
If my Master puts on, then one can be in (devotion),
The Word creates awareness to kill ego.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.415)
If one realizes (and purges oneself of) ego, then he can reach Him.
Devoid of knowledge he talks (irrelevantly) and suffers fits (of delusion).
Ego is serious disease but the cure is in itself.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.466)
Ego has enmity with Name; both do not stay at one place.
Nanak says: Meeting the Guru ego is gone.
Then Truth comes to stay in my mind.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.560)
Ego is serious disease;
Such a patient acts in others’ love.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.589)
If one serves true Guru, that person realizes;
If he kills ego, he can find His door. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.842)
Nanak says: One knows the mystery of Word if he is blessed to know.
Burning ego, he can merge (in God). (Guru Granth Sahib, p.941)
Worldliness is the product of poisonous mixing of ego in it
But if one lives inward, that poison will go.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.1009)
Bound in bandages, take birth and die.
Thus ego is the noose of Maya around neck.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.1041)
Truth and discipline are at the doors of Guru.
Ego, anger are removed by Word. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.1057)
Those who realize Order, they get to unite.
Thus, Word burns the ego. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.1258)
The mind is charmed by poison of ego; thus it is like carrying heavy load of sanke.
By putting the curing Word in mouth, one kills the poison of ego.
O my mind! The love of ego gives lot of suffering.
(Guru Granth Sahib, p.1260)
Meeting True Guru, one becomes pure.
The poison of ego leaves him crying. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.1415)
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)