Identity Quote by Sogyal Rinpoche
““We need to make a very clear distinction between what is in our ego’s self-interest and what is in our ultimate interest; it is from mistaking one for the other that all our suffering comes.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, 1992
Suffering arises when we mistake egoic self‑interest for true, higher purpose.
In simple terms: Misaligned motives cause pain.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with deeper values.
Themes
spirituality
psychology
ethics
mindfulness
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
philosophical
self‑help
When to use this quote
- meditation practice
- value clarification
- ethical decision‑making
- life coaching
Key Concepts
ego
ultimate interest
suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- What egoic desires mask deeper needs?
- How can you discern true versus selfish motives?
A Different Perspective
Self‑deception can be hard to recognize.
![“repression, which “proceeds from the self-respect of the ego … [the person] has set up an ideal in himself by which he measures his actual ego [self]…. For the ego the formation of an ideal would be the conditioning factor of repression” (1914c, pp. 93-94).” quote by Joseph Sandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/feb/joseph-sandler-102577_identity_repression-which-proceeds-from-the-self_7627.jpg)
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
