The "Wicked I"

The 'I' that makes one a worldly person and attaches one to 'woman and gold' is the 'wicked I'. 

The intervention of this ego creates the difference between jiva and Ātman. Water appears to be divided into two parts if one puts a stick across it. But in reality there is only one water. It appears as two on account of the stick.

This 'I' is the stick. Remove the stick and there remains only one water as before. 

Now, what is this 'wicked I'?

 It is the ego that says: 'What? Don't they know me? I have so much money! Who is wealthier than I?' If a thief robs such a man of only ten rupees, first of all he wrings the money out of the thief, then he gives him a good beating. But the matter doesn't end there: the thief is handed over to the police and is eventually sent to jail. 

The 'wicked I' says: 'What? Doesn't the rogue know whom he has robbed? To steal my ten rupees! How dare he?' 

- Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, P 170

  (14 December 1882)