Yes my ego had to bend at a certain point, I was quite stubborn and I'm still working daily to remain harmonious and reminded of my True Identity. There is no let down on this Path! No other personality subjected me to the hard lessons I had to go through to look straight at the Light, the Life in me was responsible for leading me in the right direction. Once I looked one good time at my own Inner Light, then I worked (and still am working) really hard to clean up my life from the filth I had let gather and keep my intellect under control to avoid as much problems as possible and be happy. The attitude I cultivate is that of a young child: totally humble, open and awed before the Miracle of Life!!
As someone once said: the intellect is a very good servant but a really poor master. If it is left unattended it is like a young pup, it runs anywhere and everywhere and will likely get you into much trouble. The intellect is usually both stubborn and of such limited understanding that it is totally clueless as to the real meaning of life, let alone a global understanding of the real causes of things and Laws of Life. So, when people crown their own ego as the master and ruler of their own temple, then they live under the tyranny of an unenlightened being and the result is suffering and misery. That is, until the ego is brought down into its real function: to serve the True Divine Self and be silent. To be quiet and wait for the Instructions from God within is the SOLE PURPOSE of the outer personality and the only way by which anyone can free himself from the wheel of rebirth and unending distress and war.
I thought myself an atheist for many years, but I guess my desire for the Truth was stronger than my attachment to my self-centered illusions! Thank God, for let me tell you one thing: I would be in a sorry state today if I would have continued on my old path!!! So if anyone try to insinuate that all religions are poison and a personal relation to God is a bad thing, to such a one I simply say with love : shut up! Your vision is so obscured by your own illusion that you can't see past your own lies and limitations! If you disagree, fine, but just refrain from spewing the poison of ignorance to your brothers who seek only freedom and happiness!
Does it seem harsh? really it's not, its a matter of honor, integrity and survival, nothing else. There has to be a voice of reason to be heard within this sea of lies and ignorance, don't you think?

Be at peace!