Is altruism actually real? Is the ego an obstacle to true altruism?

rnThe purpose of human life is to render selfless service to others.rnReligion begins with a generous nature, and happiness starts from the moment you do something for others. A human is one that gives and takes. He will provide happiness to those who make him happy and bestow misery upon those who cause him distress. However, an altruist is a superhuman who gives away his happiness to others and hence will be born as a celestial being. Altruism is considered to be the highest of all human activities. When you do something for others, you will not have to do anything for yourself. The one who helps others in any way will not encounter any obstacles in life. Does a mango tree eat its mangos? No, it is others who enjoy its wood, leaves, and fruits. For this, the tree is rewarded by progression to a higher life form. Is altruism actually real?rnPeople who serve others have good intentions and care about others. They intend to relieve people of their miseries. It is a very noble intention. But many who devote themselves to serving the society behave very differently at home. That is not right. Service to the people in the family comes first. One cannot see God, but at least one can see his parents. The first and foremost service worth doing therefore is one for parents. Charity begins at home, and then come neighbours and other people. Also, many people serve others only to acquire fame and prestige. How can such an act be called real altruism then? Service done without any expectations of recognition is real. Real service is that which is done silently, without anyone's knowledge. The ego of a humanitarian is for a good cause, but it is ego nevertheless.rnLet's understand how altruism gets associated with ego. rnWhen we do something good, the ego right away says, 'I did it!' In reality, even compassion is a natural feeling, but a compassionate person will say, 'I acted out of compassion', which is egoism. Ego is ego. Ego makes one wander life after life. Real service is one where a person does not have even the slightest belief of 'I am doing service to the society'. It is fine as long as one does not have any ego of doership. The ultimate goal of life is to serve one's SelfrnOne will always be rewarded for helping others and living for others. Still, these rewards will be worldly, such as material comforts. However, one who serves the Self attains liberation. For this, one must know his real Self. When you know the real Self, ego is gone. A person experiences liberation right here, the moment his ego is gone. To know the Self, we must know really ‘who am I’rnIn reality, we are a Pure Soul. But we wrongly believe, 'I am Chandulal (insert reader's name)', a husband, uncle, brother, etc. Only after we receive the knowledge of the Self from Gnani Purush (One who has realized the Self and can do the same for others), our wrong belief breaks. After Self-realization, the ego becomes 'zero'. This is when the service to the real Self begins. He that serves the Self, serves the entire world!rnWhen one does service to the Self, he does not hurt any living being. He does not lie, steal, commit violence or hoard money. The one who serves the Self does not hurt anyone even when others hurt him. On the contrary, he will bless the person who hurts him. This is when true altruism begins! To know more: https://www.dadabhagwan.org/self-realization/