The Greatest Idol

A brother received the garb of a monk. Upon doing so he returned to his cell telling others. I am now a monk. But when the Fathers heard about this they went to him and made him go to each of the others in the community and apologize to them with the words, I am not a monk and I have now only begun to learn.

- The Paradise of the Desert Fathers

The only purpose of living a contemplative life is to be delivered from your ego. Ego is the greatest idol and the most dearly held aspect of each one of us. Self-opinionated beliefs in one's own capabilities need to set aside in favour of humility in which you come to trust perfectly in God alone.