hilitehead

“Although this is the reality, it is not reflected in our behavior. Until now, regardless of reality, we have nurtured within ourselves a whole complex of self-cherishing thoughts. We believe in somethings that we hold very dear and we regard as precious, something that is like the core of our being; and this is accompanied by a powerful belief in our existence as an individual being with an independent reality. The belief that there is a substantially real self, and the cherishing of one’s own interest at the expense of others, are the two main thoughts and emotions we have nurtured within us throughout our many lives. But what is the result of this? What benefit does it bring? We are continually suffering, we are continually experiencing negative thoughts and emotions, so our self-cherishing hasn’t really got us very far.”