15 Sep The Self
The Self
Many Eastern traditions claim the Self is an illusion. The Eastern traditions do not believe in a fixed, constant unchanging self. They believe that our personalities like everything else change over time.
Various experiments have shown that we have a strong desire to remain constant and consistent because we fear that we may be labelled unreliable or untrustworthy. People are also reluctant to admit that they have changed their mind as it is seen as a sign of weakness.
Eastern traditions see our sense of Self as a story we tell ourselves: a story in which our egos often cast us as the hero or a victim regardless of whether it is really true or not. This narrative of our lives is seen as an illusion we cling to and one that it would be healthy to let go of.
Through meditation the mind can be conditioned to stop constantly clinging to its stories and to let go and be spontaneous, natural and fully present in the moment.
I have found this to be true for myself. Since I started meditating my mind has stopped wasting time regretting the past and worrying about the future and now that my attention is on the present moment everything has become easier and more pleasurable.
When you define yourself you limit yourself.
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