Cover ups Quote by Pema Chodron
“Ego could be defined as whatever covers up basic goodness. From an experiential point of view, what is ego covering up? It's covering up our experience of just being here, just fully being where we are, so that we can relate with the immediacy of our experience. Egolessness is a state of mind that has complete confidence in the sacredness of the world. It is unconditional well being, unconditional joy that includes all the different qualities of our experience.”
About This Quote
Source Book: When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron, 1996
Ego masks our innate goodness and present‑moment awareness, replacing it with a protective self‑image.
In simple terms: Ego hides our true nature and present awareness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and let go of egoic defenses.
Themes
mindfulness
spirituality
self‑awareness
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
spiritual
inspirational
When to use this quote
- meditation
- therapy
- daily mindfulness
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
non‑attachment
unconditional joy
sacredness
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your ego protect you from?
- How can you cultivate presence despite egoic fear?
A Different Perspective
Ego can also protect against vulnerability, making it hard to fully surrender.
![“Before, the myth of photography doesn't lie was used in order to cover up tricks. If I [make a] portrait [of] you, accommodate you, illuminate you, put make up on you or use a filter, am I not manipulating reality? The only difference is that now I can do it from the computer in the postclick…” quote by Pedro Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/71a/pedro-meyer-46329_abuse_before-the-myth-of-photography-doesn-t-l_152663.jpg)
![“Playing the guitar is like telling the truth - you never have to worry about repeating the same [lie] if you told the truth. You don't have to pretend, or cover up. If someone asks you again, you don't have to think about it or worry about it because there it is. It's you.” quote by B. B. King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/928/b-b-king-4531_asks_playing-the-guitar-is-like-telling-the-t_186528.jpg)
![“The following of authority is the denial of intelligence. [It] may help us temporarily to cover up our difficulties and problems; but to avoid a problem is only to intensify it, and in the process, self-knowledge and freedom are abandoned.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/885/anonymous-1_abandoned_the-following-of-authority-is-the-denial_247202.jpg)