The ego...

The ego is nothing more than a shadow. Its stuff and reality are
merely that transient ever-changing play of light and colour. It
exists--a word whose very meaning, "to be placed outside," is also
metaphysically true. For he who immerses himself in its consciousness
places himself outside the consciousness of Overself.

— Notebooks Category 8: The Ego > Chapter 2: I-thought > # 29