How much 'ego' do you need? Just enough so that you don't step in front of a bus.
Wherever you go you will find your teacher, as long as you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.
In reflecting on our problems, we should include ourselves.
Bowing is a very serious practice. You should be prepared to bow, even in your last moment. even though it is impossible to get rid of our self-centered desires, we have to do it. Our true nature wants us to.
Zen is everywhere.... But for you, Zen is right here.
Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there is no other way of life than this way of life.