To this I replied, "I still think that my body is not…
““To this I replied, "I still think that my body is not merely a sensory appearance, for surely it came from my parents, who were its cause and condition." He said , "If you think that your body came from your father and mother, then what are the beginning and end of these parents? What are their source, their location, their final destination? Tell me!" I answered, "I think that they exist, but I am not aware of what they are. It seems to me that a physical body without parents is not possible." He retorted, "Consider this. Who are the parents of the body in a dream, in the bardo, and in the hell realms?" With that, I arrived at the decision that this body has never existed, being simply a sensory experience.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The discussion questions the origin of the body, suggesting it is a sensory construct without independent existence, especially in dreamlike states.
In simple terms: The body is a sensory experience, not an independent entity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the mind’s role in shaping perceived reality.
Themes
spirituality
philosophy
identity
Mood
contemplative
mystical
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- dream analysis
- Bardo contemplation
Key Concepts
non-duality
Bardo teachings
mind-body problem
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean for personal identity if the body is merely sensory?
- How can this perspective affect daily living?
A Different Perspective
Such views may conflict with scientific understandings of biology.