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Square 7: Conceit (Mada)
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Square 7: Conceit (Mada)

March 31, 2025
Overcoming envy through mindfulness and embracing genuine appreciation of others.

Square 7: Conceit (Mada) – The Trap of the Ego

Square seven in your journey through Leela is Mada, meaning "conceit" or "ego." Positioned within the foundational Root Chakra (Muladhara), Mada represents the ego's tendency toward pride, arrogance, and self-importance—qualities that can limit spiritual growth and cloud your true self-awareness.

What is Mada?

In Sanskrit, Mada translates directly as "pride," "arrogance," or "conceit." It signifies the inflated sense of self, an exaggerated view of one's importance or superiority. While confidence and self-worth are healthy, Mada represents the negative side of ego, where you become overly attached to self-image, status, or power.

In the Leela game, Mada is a powerful reminder to keep the ego in check, encouraging humility and genuine self-awareness.

Symbolism of Mada in Leela

Encountering Mada invites you to:

  • Recognize Ego: Notice when pride or arrogance affects your behavior, relationships, or inner peace.
  • Cultivate Humility: Practice humility and openness, recognizing that true strength comes from understanding, compassion, and awareness.
  • Find Balance: Develop a balanced sense of self—confident yet humble, capable yet open to growth and learning.

Mada challenges you to confront and release ego-driven illusions, making space for deeper spiritual awakening.

Key Insights from Mada

Reflecting on conceit provides valuable insights:

  • Ego as an Obstacle: Pride and arrogance often become barriers to genuine connection, self-understanding, and spiritual growth.
  • Strength in Humility: Real strength lies in humility—accepting your humanity, imperfections, and ongoing potential for growth.
  • Openness and Learning: Humility opens doors to learning, growth, and deeper relationships, freeing you from constant self-defense or self-promotion.

Reflective Exercise: Releasing the Ego

Try this brief meditation to explore and gently release ego-driven thoughts:

  • Sit comfortably and close your eyes, breathing deeply and slowly.

  • Recall a recent situation where pride or self-importance affected your interactions or decisions.

  • Gently observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment.

  • Silently affirm:

    "I release my need to be superior. I embrace humility and openness."

  • Imagine releasing your pride into the universe, feeling lighter and freer with each breath.

Journal Prompt for Conceit (Mada):

  • In what areas of your life has pride or ego influenced your choices recently?
  • How might humility and openness help you in situations where your pride typically emerges?
  • Describe a time when releasing ego helped you experience deeper connection, understanding, or growth.

Moving Forward in the Game

As you continue your Leela journey, the wisdom gained from confronting Mada can guide you toward genuine self-awareness, humility, and personal freedom. Recognizing and releasing the ego prepares you to face the subtle challenge of avarice (Matsarya), which awaits you in the next square.

Square Navigation

Current Position

Muladhara Chakra Squares

  1. Genesis (Janma)
  2. Illusion (Maya)
  3. Anger (Krodh)
  4. Greed (Lobh)
  5. Physical Plane (Bhu-Loka)
  6. Delusion (Moha)
  7. Conceit (Mada) - Current
  8. Avarice (Matsarya)
  9. Sensual Plane (Kama-Loka)

Progress Through the Game

  • Current Position: Square 7 of 72
  • Current Chakra: Muladhara (1 of 8)
  • Chakra Progress: 7/9 Squares

Roll the dice again, now with a humble and open heart.

Namaste.