How did the author's initial character traits contrast with the spiritual path Sai Baba required for writing the book?

Chapter 2 highlights a significant contrast between the author's personality and the spiritual path Sai required. Sai Baba's primary instruction was to dissolve the ego and avoid argumentation. However, the author, who would later be named Hemadpant, describes his initial self as mischievous, talkative, cynical, and critical. He admits to being proud of his wisdom, possessing a logic-driven mind, and being prone to argumentation. This ego-centric and analytical nature was the direct opposite of the surrender, faith, and humility that Sai Baba mandated as the foundation for Him to write the story through the author.