Buddhist Belief Blog

Well, I’m back at this topic of “self” or “no-self” again. I can’t seem to get away from it. It seems the more I study Buddhist Belief, the more this aspect of the teachings keeps coming to the forefront. Now, don’t forget, not only am I writing this stuff for the people reading here, I’m also writing to help me in my learning process. There’s one message which keeps coming through in the study I’m doing and it is this: “Holding to an ordinary notion of self, or ego, is the source of all our pain and confusion.” Since it keeps coming up I’m going to presume it’s important and needs to be given plenty of attention. So, here we go again with this “self” and “no-self” – more thoughts about our way of looking at our attachment to our ego.

What if we were to decide to get really serious about dealing with this “self” issue and say, “Okay, I”m going to go and find my self?” The irony of taking this approach is – this thing we value so highly – this thing we knock ourselves out trying to cherish and protect – we can’t find it! It’s like a moving target – we can’t really put our finger on it and say we found it. For example, take me in the morning when I look in the mirror and say, “Gee, Ron, you’re not just getting old – you’re starting to look old as well!” Okay – then answer this – what am I referring to with those words? I’m referring to my body, my physicality, as my “self”, right? So, when I use the words, “you look old” – or – “my body” am I saying my “self” is the owner of “my body”?

Confusing, right?

Let’s try this one – if I say, “I’m tired” – what am I referring to. I’ve now pointed out that my “self” is my emotions or my feelings, right? Or, when I make a statement like, “Oh, I see” – I’m now saying my “self” is my perception of something. When I say, “I think so” – I’m referring to my “self” as my thought.

So, what is my “self” – is it my body – or is it my emotions – or is it my perceptions – or is it my thoughts? Sort of hard to pin it down, isn’t it? Here’s another idea — Maybe what the “self” is might be the thing which knows all these other things – maybe it’s my mind.

But, wait a minute. What does the mind look like? What’s its shape? Is it round – is it square – is it blue or red or green? How shall we describe it? We know it seems to control everything we do, so why can’t we draw a picture of it or write a description of what it looks like? No, it’s not the brain – it’s the mind – it’s our ego. It’s kind of a mystery, isn’t it? We know there’s this something which has complete control over our lives, but we can’t say what “it” is. We can’t see “it”. Its sort of surprising we’re so ready to give “it” so much control.

What’s really interesting is we don’t seem to care. Something is doing everything in our lives, some sort of ghost – and we just let it run rampant. This ego-mind we call “self” has been serving us, but it hasn’t done a very good job. Do you all remember the word, “samsara” from some of our previous writing here? Basically, “samsara” is the First Noble Truth. It’s the truth that we are all suffering in some way. We don’t seem to be able to break free from this First Noble Truth and move on to the other three Noble Truths. When this “self” – this ego-mind tells us to be angry, we get angry! When it tells us to get attached to this or to that – or to cling to something or someone – we just do it – we get attached! This “self” is constantly leading us away from where we truly want to go and we suffer as a result.

I would say there’s something wrong with this picture, wouldn’t you? Why do we cherish this “self” while it keeps slapping us around? One of the things my ego-mind keeps tricking me to do is to get involved with the craziness of our politics in the USA. I keep wishing for some of the folks who are trying to do things the right way — who are truly working for us — to “call-out” those who are working to help only themselves to the detriment of the people they represent.

Perhaps I should just apply the same wish here and “call out” this ego-mind. Whenever I’m feeling threatened, or challenged to go in some direction I know I shouldn’t be going, I should stop – rise up and say to this “self”, “Get out here where I can see you!” Challenge that sucker! Call it out! Don’t wander off on the path it wants me to go, but instead slam on the brakes and challenge this ego-mind. I’d be willing to bet when we do issue this challenge, nothing will show up and say, “Here I am!”

I’m not saying some people won’t be able to conjure up an ego-mind with a face they may recognize. If that does happen with you, it may be this challenge is something to be put off until another time. What I do feel is true, though, is when your ego-mind doesn’t show up when you “call it out”, you’ll find your ability to handle the struggle will be a lot less than it was, and you won’t feel as much of the pain and suffering you had before you “called it out”.

It’s when you put the brakes on what you’re being led to do by your ego – when you expose it for what it is – when you “call it out” – that’s when you begin to have more clarity. This ego-self is really nothing – we just think it amounts to something in our lives.

The best way I’ve found to put those brakes on is through the daily practice of meditation. When your ego-mind is pushing, shoving, and nudging you in directions which will lead to more suffering – just stop – take a few deep breaths and “call it out” – meditate – and you’ll find what is truly there – your wisdom – your intelligence – your awareness – and your freedom.

Metta ….May I be well and happy. My I live in safety. May I be healthy and strong. May I live with ease. May all beings be well and happy. May all beings live in safety. May all beings be healthy and strong. May all beings live with ease.

Namaste — Be in Peace.

Ron Rink

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Just click the links that are sort of Grey in color to take you to where you can learn more about each book and how you can purchase a copy for your own library.

Stephanie Kaza — Hooked!: Buddhist Writings on Greed, Desire, and the Urge to Consume

Stephanie Kaza, an amazing writer and Buddhist teacher I knew from my 36 years living in Vermont, gathers key Buddhist thinkers to reflect upon aspects of consumerism, greed and economics. Certainly, many other authors have examined consumerism from the lens of their religious traditions, but this book’s Buddhist perspective is unusual, and its pairing of consumerist critiques with core Buddhist concepts is generally fruitful. Check this one out! Hooked!

Stephanie Kaza — Mindfully Green: A Personal and Spiritual Guide to Whole Earth Thinking

Another one from my Vermont friend — Stephanie Kaza, a biologist and professor of Environmental Studies at University of Vermont, combines Zen Buddhist practices and teachings with her 40 years as an environmentalist for this guide to enlightened environmentalism, proposing a belief in the interdependence of people and nature as the genuine way to “go green”: “When we come to see ourselves as part of the green web of life… we are naturally drawn to respond with compassion.” A good read for Buddhists or anyone from any religion. Mindfully Green

Anam Thubten — No Self – No Problem

No Self – No Problem
shows how to realize the ultimate meaning of life in each moment by dissolving all notions of ego-identity. It asks that spiritual seekers wake up to their true nature, which is already enlightened. Based on Buddhist wisdom traditions, this easy-to-read book discusses in simple, but profound and inspiring language, how we can live a life full of love, satisfaction, and happiness. No Self – No Problem

Sharon Salzberg — The Kindness Handbook

“It takes boldness, even audacity, to step out of our habitual patterns and experiment with a quality like kindness–to work with it and see just how it might shift and open up our lives. This book is an invitation to do just that. — From The Kindness Handbook