Narcissism versus the
Bliss of Impersonality:
The notion of 'I Am' is a
false assumption based on a longstanding deception.
The notion of 'Mine' is a false assumption based on a deep,
deep craving..
The notion of 'This is My Self' is a false
assumption based on wrong view...
The mentally constructed idea of an
internally existing, invisible yet stable,
same and independent entity of identity, being in full control and mastering
the individual, is rooted in an inflated false experience of self-importance!
This fabricated 'Ego' assuming an imaginary 'Self' rapidly becomes deeply
and tragically in love with itself... This 'auto-romance', even though merely
a hypothetical ideation, nevertheless, demands to be gratified, praised and
respected without end, and therefore reacts violently toward any external
or internal
threats against its postulated unique, yet fictional magnificence!
The root of all EGOISM therefore starts right
there when this conceptual
notion of 'I-Me-Mine-Myself-My-Identity-My-Personality' is conjured up..
The effects are well known as being
wholly catastrophic both individually,
socially, locally and globally, here and now, later, and in much later lives...
The assumed existence of an Ego is thus the biggest invisible
obstruction
and the worst covered calamity for any being in any world, whether divine
or human, whether high or
low, whether past, present, or in any far future...
Basically this 'Me'-belief
is based on an assumption that either is
the body,
the feelings, the perceptions, the mental constructions, or the consciousness
itself an 'embodiment' of an otherwise invisible and unobservable 'Self'..
This 'representational' ego entity is then exalted to be the center of the
universe... However, this self
'imaging' is merely a manifestation of simple
identification with and clinging to
body form, social position, professional
occupation, and so called 'personal'
possessions, which all are transient...
Such is a highly treacherous,
dangerous, comic and tragic ego-projection..
Always gratifying an 'ego-me-self' that simply
does not exist!
The primary self-deception is "I
Am..."
Then comes the fermentation "I Am this and/or that..."
Finally is added "I Am better, worse,
or equal to this and that!"
Yet this "I", that is assumed to be
this or that, does not exist...
Selflessness versus overblown "I-am-Superior"
Egoism!
The Blessed Buddha said:
From everywhere, above
as below, set free and released, beyond the concept
of 'I am this or that', one has
then crossed a river never crossed before...
Thus liberated, one does not renew any
cyclic process of being.
Udana – Inspiration: VII - 1
Blissful is solitude for one who is content, learned
and who sees the Dhamma.
More blissful is harmlessness towards all beings without any exception.
Even
more blissful is freedom from all sensual craving whatsoever...
Yet, the supreme bliss is the elimination of this abysmal conceit “I am”!'
Udana – Inspiration: II – 1
Sabbe Dhamma Anattā -
All states are selfless...
The Ego is alone in an unreal world
fractured by hidden false assumptions
The best way to
comprehend No-Self (anatta) is to begin with observing
and reflecting on Impermanence
(anicca) and Suffering (dukkha).
Then eventually one comes to understand: Whatever is always otherwise
and never the same, never identical cannot ever be an identity, any
self...
Whatever is always ultimately suffering cannot be under the control of a
self,
since if it were, then this self would by this control change it into
something
pleasant and happy. But no self can do that, since it is not in full
control...
If a self is not in control of even itself (fully autonomic) it cannot
be a true self,
but just conditions that plays out their cause and effects...
More on
Anti-Egoism:
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Pride.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Conceit_I_Am.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Ego-Projection.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/Prison_of_Pride.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anti-EGO-Tool.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Anatta_No_Self.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/No_Agent_is_Inside.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Solo_Self-Deception.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/II/Mistaken_Reference.htm
https://What-Buddha-Said.net/drops/IV/Selfless_and_Harmless.htm
