“Myself” November 20, 2009
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Buddhism , trackbackOf all the words we use to disguise the hollowness of the human condition, none is more influential than “myself.” It consists of a collage of still images—name, gender, nationality, profession, enthusiasms, relationships—that are renovated from time to time, but otherwise are each a relic from one particular experience or another. The defining teaching of the Buddhist tradition, that of non-self, is merely pointing out the limitations of this reflexive view we hold of ourselves. It’s not that the self does not exist, but that it is as cobbled-together and transient as everything else.
- Andrew Olendzki, “Self as Verb,” Tricycle, Summer 2005
Read the complete article on tricycle.com.
Comments»
Any word that starts with my is circumspect. I have found myself (pun intended) saying my land, my animals, my etc. We don’t own anything but are fortunate at times to have the use of something during our time here. Andrew’s comments about our image of ourselves appears correctly inappropriate.
In strengthening practice of mindful right speech, ommitting the words “me”, “my” and “I” still allows an understanding in communication (although it may take a little more time for comprehension/response by the receiver) and also seems to help reinforce non-self and reduce barriers of ego not only internally but externally as well.
(*gassho*)