Dropping our imaginary selves

We don’t exist.  I mean, obviously we do in the sense that we see, feel and hear things.  But not in the sense that we are separately identifiable from the rest of the universe.

We exist for practical purposes.  But, if we analyse ourselves closely, we will see that, in the final analysis, we have no self.  If we really examine and analyse our apparent separate existence, we will see that it is an illusion.  The only ‘correct’ way of seeing ourselves, ultimately, is as an integral part of everything.

This lack of ultimate existence is true for all things.  If I examine a door, then I will see that that door is attached by a hinge to a wall, which is part of a building, which is created from dust made from the universe over billions of years.  The door cannot therefore be separated from the whole universe.

Relationally, we are attached to others, who are part of the world, which is part of the same universe as the door.  This perspective stops us from unfairly fretting about one thing over another, and in particular it stops us prioritising ourselves over other people.

When we argue with other people, we feel that our ‘imaginary self’ is threatened.  We feel we have to defend ourselves and push back.  But the self we are defending at such times is not real.

We are not a separate, special self that depends on others for its happiness.  What kind of self would that be?  It wouldn’t last very long.  It sounds like a very greedy self, that eats up other people’s respect, and is only happy if it is being stroked and tended to like an innocent puppy.

Defending our imaginary self is like defending the integrity of a wave on the sea.  It doesn’t make sense.  The wave seems to exist one minute, but the next moment it merges with the sea it is part of.  The same is true of all things.  In the final analysis, nothing stands out – we can therefore possess nothing, define nothing.

Meditation gives us the chance to escape this illusion of a separate self, and enjoy being part of the whole universe, without worries.  We have the opportunity to release ourselves from our own small, selfish world, with all its pressure, and spend time in contemplation of ultimate oneness.  We can relax as we realise that, behind all the fuss, everything is as it is, which is as it should be.