Absolutes Quote by Robert Thurman
“In Buddhist ideology, the conventional self is that which is constructed in a way by the use of the pronoun, and when you realize there is no absolute ego there, no disconnected one, self, or ego, then that actually strengthens your conventional ego. It does so in the sense that then you realize it's a construction, and you can strengthen it in order to help others, or do whatever you're trying to do, it's not like you no longer know who you are. Then you can organize your behavior by using your ego, as it's now the pronoun.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Foundations of Buddhist Thought, Robert Thurman, 1995
Recognizing the self as a mental construct lets you use it skillfully rather than be bound by it.
In simple terms: Self is a construct you can harness.
Key Takeaway
Use ego as a tool for compassionate action.
Themes
self-awareness
mindfulness
ego
compassion
agency
Mood
reflective
insightful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- leadership
- personal development
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Buddhist psychology
constructivism
skillful means
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you differentiate between ego as tool and ego as obstacle?
- What practices help keep ego flexible?
A Different Perspective
Ego can become a barrier if over-identified.
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