When we operate from ego, we demand respect from others. The moment you demand, you become dependent. When others bind you, you are not free. When you are not free, how you can you be free?

When we operate from ego, we demand respect from others. The moment you demand, you become dependent. When others bind you, you are not free. When you are not free, how you can you be free? If you are ego less, then you don't demand respect, you are then not dependent, not bound. Then if I smile at or frown at your joke, you are not effected. Therefore you are free. Freedom brings joy and happiness. Ego cannot stand someone superior to you. It always wants comparison. I am more important than you, is the structure of the conversation of ego. In the presence of ego it is impossible to keep the mind calm. Even if it appears calm on periphery, there is lot of tension in the back ground. It will only be artificial calmness.