Atheism Quote by Stephen Batchelor
““When my self is no longer the all-consuming preoccupation it once was, when I see it as one narrative thread among myriad others, when I understand it to be as contingent and transient as anything else, then the barrier that separates “me” from “not me” begins to crumble. The conviction of being a closed cell of self is not only delusive but anesthetic. It numbs me to the suffering of the world.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Nothing Sacred, 2014
When the self is seen as one of many narratives, its grip loosens, allowing empathy for others’ suffering.
In simple terms: Seeing self as a story reduces selfishness.
Key Takeaway
Practice seeing self as part of a larger story.
Themes
self
empathy
impermanence
interconnectedness
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- meditation
- counseling
- community work
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Buddhist philosophy
psychology
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing yourself as a narrative change your actions?
- What barriers keep you from feeling others’ pain?
A Different Perspective
May be challenging to shift deep identity.
![“There are about 50 or 60 recommendations [in "Win"] for how to communicate, not just the words themselves. All of them had to be tested. And in this short amount of time, it's just very time-consuming and very stressful to ensure that you get it right.” quote by Frank Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/add/frank-luntz-4874_amount_there-are-about-50-or-60-recommendations_60026.jpg)
![“[Mindfulness] is not concerned with anything transcendent or divine. It serves as an antidote to theism, a cure for sentimental piety, a scalpel for excising the tumor of metaphysical belief. (130)” quote by Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/04b/stephen-batchelor-5328_antidote_mindfulness-is-not-concerned-with-anythi_151409.jpg)
