Buddhism Quote by Frederick Lenz
“The Buddhist mindset seeks to eliminate the self. That is to say, what we want to experience is life, not self. When there's less self and more life, we're very content, and when there's more self and less life we're quite unhappy.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Buddhist Mindset by Frederick Lenz, 1995
The quote argues that reducing egoic identification leads to greater fulfillment, while self‑centeredness creates suffering.
In simple terms: Less ego, more life brings contentment.
Cultivate self‑lessness for deeper happiness.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- therapy
- daily self‑reflection
- relationship dynamics
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance self‑care with self‑lessness?
- What practices help quiet the ego?
Self‑elimination can be misunderstood as denial of personal boundaries.