There was once a simple Jew who heard from his mashpia (spiritual mentor) that the entire purpose of Chassidus is to eliminate one’s sense of self and ego. For this reason, he was told, Chassidim refrain from using the word ‘I.’
The man resolved that from that day onward, the word ‘I’ would never cross his lips. As time passed, however, he discovered that he simply could not keep to his resolution. It was very difficult to manage without occasionally using the word.
In desperation, he went to the local Rabbi and explained his predicament.
The Rabbi smiled and said:
‘To say the word ‘I’ is permitted. To think and feel ‘I’ — that is forbidden…’