--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our root fantasy is that \"I\" am real and…" description: "\"Our root fantasy is that \"I\" am real and that it's possible for \"me\" to be happy.\" — Sakyong Mipham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg" --- # Our root fantasy is that "I" am real and that it's… ![“Our root fantasy is that "I" am real and that it's possible for "me" to be happy.” quote by Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg) > “Our root fantasy is that "I" am real and that it's possible for "me" to be happy.” [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The core fantasy is that a stable, authentic self exists and can achieve lasting happiness. **In simple terms:** We imagine a true self that can be happy. Key Takeaway Happiness tied to self‑realization. Themes self‑identity happiness philosophy mindfulness Mood contemplative hopeful Type philosophical insight spiritual teaching When to use this quote - Meditation retreats - Therapeutic self‑exploration - Goal‑setting based on values Key Concepts existential psychology spiritual practice Practical Applications - Practice self‑inquiry to clarify personal identity - Align daily actions with authentic desires Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports the existence of a fixed 'I'? - Can happiness be independent of self‑concept? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fantasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) ## Related quotes > [To me, fantasy should be as real as possible. I don't buy into the notion that because it's fantastic, it should be unrealistic, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/to-me-fantasy-should-be-as-real-as-possible-i-don-t-buy-into-the/) [Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/) > [The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-world-you-desire-can-be-won-it-exists-it-is-real-it-is-possible/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [The truth can be hard to swallow, but it's always best to embrace it, no matter how hard you want to keep living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-can-be-hard-to-swallow-but-it-s-always-best-to-embrace-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To read a novel is to wonder constantly, even at moments when we lose ourselves most deeply in the book: How much of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/to-read-a-novel-is-to-wonder-constantly-even-at-moments-when-we-lose/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [To be matter-of-fact about the world is to blunder into fantasy - and dull fantasy at that, as the real world is strange and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/to-be-matter-of-fact-about-the-world-is-to-blunder-into-fantasy-and/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Is that romantic fantasy real? Um, after kids, no. Take the kids away, I don't know. Depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-wright/is-that-romantic-fantasy-real-um-after-kids-no-take-the-kids-away-i/) [Robin Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-wright/) > [“Creating fantasy is real work, important work. It’s a hard, cold world we live in, and sometimes we need to escape. Sometimes we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-mckevett/creating-fantasy-is-real-work-important-work-it-s-a-hard-cold-world/) [G.A. McKevett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-mckevett/) > [That, to me, is the core of fantasy - real people in a crazy environment, dealing with crazy problems. That's what I think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/that-to-me-is-the-core-of-fantasy-real-people-in-a-crazy-environment/) [Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/) > [“ITALIANO Non ho mai ritenuto reale la mia fantasia, ma ritengo molto fantasiosa la mia realtà. ENGLISH I've never felt my fantasy as real,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianluca-frangella/italiano-non-ho-mai-ritenuto-reale-la-mia-fantasia-ma-ritengo-molto/) Gianluca Frangella > [I feel strongly that I need to try to make my shows as real as possible. What you see is what you get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-cavuto/i-feel-strongly-that-i-need-to-try-to-make-my-shows-as-real-as/) [Neil Cavuto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-cavuto/) > [Well, I'm not a method actress by any stretch of the imagination so the best thing that I can do is be as real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/well-i-m-not-a-method-actress-by-any-stretch-of-the-imagination-so/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [It's very important to be as transparent, as real as possible, as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-silvestre/it-s-very-important-to-be-as-transparent-as-real-as-possible-as-a/) [Miguel Angel Silvestre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-silvestre/) > [Do not let your fire go out ... Do not let the Hero in your soul perish ... Check your road and the nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/do-not-let-your-fire-go-out-do-not-let-the-hero-in-your-soul-perish/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I was trying to play as real possible - I wanted everything to be real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-giuntoli/i-was-trying-to-play-as-real-possible-i-wanted-everything-to-be-real/) [David Giuntoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-giuntoli/) > [Nothing's real ,but all is possible if God is on my side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/nothing-s-real-but-all-is-possible-if-god-is-on-my-side/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) ## More by Sakyong Mipham > [If we do not appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the human heart, how can we appreciate the sensitivity and subtlety of the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-do-not-appreciate-the-sensitivity-and-subtlety-of-the-human/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“Thus the mind is more present and at peace. So the clarity and peace of mind we feel after running is mostly because the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/thus-the-mind-is-more-present-and-at-peace-so-the-clarity-and-peace/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [If we cut speed and relax with what’s going on in our life right now, kindness and patience will naturally come about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-cut-speed-and-relax-with-what-s-going-on-in-our-life-right-now/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [A lot of people do their practice. They meditate on compassion. Then they yell at people afterwards. That is not quite working. One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/a-lot-of-people-do-their-practice-they-meditate-on-compassion-then/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [If we do not push ourselves enough, we do not grow, but if we push ourselves too much, we regress. What is enough will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/if-we-do-not-push-ourselves-enough-we-do-not-grow-but-if-we-push/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Shambhala teachings say we all have the potential to accomplish our enlightened nature - our basic goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/shambhala-teachings-say-we-all-have-the-potential-to-accomplish-our/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [True happiness is always available to us, but first we have to create the environment for it to flourish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/true-happiness-is-always-available-to-us-but-first-we-have-to-create/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Auspicious coincidence is the right thing happening at the right time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/auspicious-coincidence-is-the-right-thing-happening-at-the-right-time/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [A lot of times people do spiritual practice just for themselves. I try to turn that a little bit. I try to make spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/a-lot-of-times-people-do-spiritual-practice-just-for-themselves-i-try/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [Enlightened Society is all about nurturing the human spirit - waking up to the goodness, kindness and strength that we already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/enlightened-society-is-all-about-nurturing-the-human-spirit-waking-up/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [After you run, there's a sense of accomplishment; you feel like your life is meaningful. It's a moment of clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/after-you-run-there-s-a-sense-of-accomplishment-you-feel-like-your/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“Gentleness can be developed with simple thoughts. First, appreciate who you are and make friends with yourself. Look at what you can do, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/gentleness-can-be-developed-with-simple-thoughts-first-appreciate-who/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [You have people who are good at English but don't have the training in Buddhism or Shambhala, or they have the training but are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/you-have-people-who-are-good-at-english-but-don-t-have-the-training/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“Past events are already gone, and the future is yet to happen. It is only in the present that we can be in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/past-events-are-already-gone-and-the-future-is-yet-to-happen-it-is/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) > [“In the beginning of running and of meditation, one of the biggest obstacles is laziness. One kind of laziness is basic slothfulness, in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/in-the-beginning-of-running-and-of-meditation-one-of-the-biggest/) [Sakyong Mipham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) [Explore all 147 Sakyong Mipham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/) ## More Fantasy quotes > [“I am awake. I know what you took. I am coming for you. Vengeance is mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-burks/i-am-awake-i-know-what-you-took-i-am-coming-for-you-vengeance-is-mine/) [Robin Burks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-burks/) > [I avoided nudity unless a film couldn't be told without those scenes. If you look at my films, few of them have that element,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-scacchi/i-avoided-nudity-unless-a-film-couldn-t-be-told-without-those-scenes/) [Greta Scacchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-scacchi/) > [We don't make glamorous movies today. Everything now is very realistic, artistic - and depressing. When is the last time you you saw a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-head/we-don-t-make-glamorous-movies-today-everything-now-is-very-realistic/) [Edith Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-head/) > [I like fantasy, but I don't live and breathe fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/i-like-fantasy-but-i-don-t-live-and-breathe-fantasy/) [Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/) > [“Metal makes everything magical. Just ask a unicorn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybrina-durant/metal-makes-everything-magical-just-ask-a-unicorn/) [Sybrina Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sybrina-durant/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/my-first-three-manuscripts-were-epic-fantasy-like-high-fantasy-and/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [I'm a geek - I read fantasy novels, I play 'World of Warcraft,' I'm a massive gamer, I have 'Star Trek' outfits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kazinsky/i-m-a-geek-i-read-fantasy-novels-i-play-world-of-warcraft-i-m-a/) [Robert Kazinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kazinsky/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she'll enjoy the taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/perhaps-nesta-will-take-up-the-blood-drinking-habit-too-i-certainly/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [I like to play people that are real, a real person, and then something that's interesting with that person. I think it's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-bostick/i-like-to-play-people-that-are-real-a-real-person-and-then-something/) [Devon Bostick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-bostick/) > [It's a hindrance in trying to get a serious acting role. The minute a producer has a script and my name comes up, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbi-benton/it-s-a-hindrance-in-trying-to-get-a-serious-acting-role-the-minute-a/) [Barbi Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbi-benton/) > [No one will ever write a fantasy novel better than The Hobbit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-will-ever-write-a-fantasy-novel-better-than-the-hobbit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've always loved sci-fi and fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-ve-always-loved-sci-fi-and-fantasy/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [“I will always be within reach if you need me, little one...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-von/i-will-always-be-within-reach-if-you-need-me-little-one/) [A.R. Von](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-von/) [Browse all 5,469 Fantasy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantasy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our root fantasy is that \"I\" am real and that it's possible for \"me\" to be happy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sakyong Mipham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-that-it-s-possible-for-me-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fantasy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-that-it-s-possible-for-me-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4f8/sakyong-mipham-2871_fantasy_our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-t_109651.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our root fantasy is that \"I\" am real and that it's possible for \"me\" to be happy.” — Sakyong Mipham", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sakyong Mipham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sakyong-mipham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our root fantasy is that \"I\"...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-that-it-s-possible-for-me-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sakyong-mipham/our-root-fantasy-is-that-i-am-real-and-that-it-s-possible-for-me-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```