Time Quote by Daniel M. Ingram
““At the most fundamental level, the level that is the most useful for doing insight practices, we wish desperately that there was some separate, permanent self, and we spend huge amounts of time doing our best to prop up this illusion. In order to do this, we habitually ignore lots of useful information about our reality and give our mental impressions and simplifications of reality much more importance than they are necessarily due. It is this illusion that adds a problematic element to the normal and understandable ways in which we go about trying to be happy. We constantly struggle with reality because we misunderstand it, i.e. because reality misunderstands itself.””
About This Quote
The belief in a permanent self is an illusion that distorts perception and hinders happiness
In simple terms: Self is an illusion that misleads us
Key Takeaway
Question the self concept
Themes
philosophy
psychology
mindfulness
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- therapy
- personal growth
- decision making
Key Concepts
self
identity
illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports a permanent self?
- How does letting go affect wellbeing?
A Different Perspective
Self-concept can provide stability for some people
