We all act as if we had lasting, separate, independent selves that it is our constant pre-occupation to protect and foster. It is an unthinking habit that most of us would normally be most unlikely to question or explain. However, all our suffering is associated with this pre-occupation. All loss and gain, pleasure and pain arise because we identify so closely with this vague feeling of selfness that we have. We are so emotionally involved with and attached to this self that we take it for granted.

Khenpo Tsultrim Rinpoche

from the book Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness

translated by Shenpen Hookham


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Further quotes from the book Progressive Stages of Meditation on Emptiness:

• The source of all our suffering
• What exactly is feeling hurt
• Perceiver and Perceived
• The wisdom that realizes not-self
• It is all change and impermanence
• Buddha Nature
• Simply a vague concept