Page 117 - Extinguishment of self, in search of dhamma

selves. What is our true selves? As we have no selves, how can we call this our true selves? This refers to our intrinsic nature (carita), our inclination—but, there must not be de lements present. Do you notice? Selfhood – I am as I am like this; if you would like me to be like this person, it would be impossible; to be like that person, it would be dif cult. But, if other people are good, we can take some of their strong points, mix them and become ourselves, correct?
In reality, by selecting good things and use them to generate bene ts, that is a good thing. We are not pretending—we are ourselves—but we know how to select good things and introduce them into ourselves, generating our own bene ts. This is wisdom. It is not like: That person is good, but it is his business, we do not care, it does not concern us, we are what we are. In that case, it would be dif cult for us to develop (Translator’s note: Ourselves). Something is dif cult to develop—not just because of our actions—but because we are not prepared to develop or to rectify (ourselves). We rely on our habits. Although our mind is better, our state of mind is more resplendent, more serene; but if we have no intention to re ne or rectify our words, they will be exactly the same...
Whatever words we are used to, we tend to utilize those words. Whatever types of language we are used to, we tend to utilize those types of language. But, if we know
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