A monk is having less of an ego

I am staying a few days at a monastery .
I am always very impressed by the appearance of the monks .
They seem to have so little ego *. They seem to have given up so many things of which we, laymen, are still concerned about, is this right?

They have chosen for God and they have given up much of the world.
They have already forsaken a lot.
A private home, a partner, a sex life, kids, a career , status, a position, power, material stuff.
They are not all yet free, but much freer than laymen.

They have forsaken much compared to laymen.
They are forsaking a lot.

So they have learned to say often no to the ego , to say no to his wishes and desires and fascinations. And they help each other to choose for God over and over.
It’s all about a clear perspective , a clear choice, a main purpose to which all the rest is ​​subordinate.
So basically the ego does not get much chance to grow and their personality has become more an instrument of God, of the whole.

AND I want to emphasize their prayers for the world and their care for retreat visitors are contributing to a great spiritual credit. They are saving for eternity. Every time they are opening all windows for God to come in. So their " My God" is getting plenty of opportunity to express Itself in the earthy reality.

Laymen must not  think: oh , this is not my peace of cake”. Because each person is following his own path, and every day is providing new opportunities to ask oneself:

Am I choosing for God or for His opponent , the monkey of God?
Am I choosing for the whole or for the separation?
Am I choosing for the good or for the evil?
So please be inspired by the example of the monks .

My blessings to you all

* See http://watchthegod-english.blogspot.nl/2013/09/the-personality-and-ego.html