Thank you for your comment, Jonathan.

I don't know for sure that Tolle's ego returned. But I suspect it returned quite a long time ago. I've read or heard him say that he developed a new identity after his enlightenment. So really, this means he had a new ego based on spirituality. I read others referring to what they call "spiritualised ego". This is when somebody thinks they no longer have an ego, but it's still there, just hiding behind the spirituality.

I suspect it's damn near impossible to remain enlightened and still be a functioning human.