raychin07/16/02 at 22:01:01#1i have this fear that if i start practicing Buddhism that i would lose myself. i guess this is a hindrance. How can i address this? i fear that i would disappear. or maybe i will not. maybe i shall be transformed. thanks.
Last edited 08/12/02 at 18:51:45 by Buddhafly
lian hua dance07/17/02 at 11:57:08#2Re: fear of losing my ego :)
Some thoughts:
1) Anything real will not disappear. Anything temporary will disappear eventually anyway.
2) Realization is not losing something you have, it is finding out that you aren't who you thought you were. I believe you will find the consensus is that Reality is superior to delusion - not many Buddhas regret "losing" their delusions. You still have choices, ways of acting, personality, etc. Nothing is taken away from you! Things just may look different from a different angle. Things you thought were so are seen in a new light. More clarity and light can be seen as the loss of darkness, but that is a funny point of view.
3) Don't worry about a thing! Enjoy.
lian hua dance
buddha07/17/02 at 20:04:55#3Re: fear of losing my egoThe fear of losing this supposed "self" is not really your true self! What we think is ourselves, our behavioral pattern, our character, likes and dislikes, whims and fancies are like computer programming languages, written down as a result of the choices we made in the past, be it right or wrong, that is guiding us in our present speech, thought and action. Buddhism helps us to refine the program, as well as redefine our core values, which in turn will help us make better choices in life. By changing our inate "programming languages", utilizing Buddhism in our daily lives helps us to change our karma or fate. Buddhism lets us have a choice to a better life, and it is indeed in our hands to make that change.
Change your old "self", and let the new "you" shine through!
jessie07/17/02 at 20:22:20#4Re: fear of losing my egothe real aim of studying buddhism to discover your True Nature, a nature that is bright and pure. This is the Nature that will release you from suffering.
The ego you are referring to is only delusional.
To overcome your hindrances, think of the ego this way: you are trying to get rid of that delusional ego (which comes with attachment), and you are on a road to discovery about a true nature that has been dormant inside you.
hope i make sense...You should read Surangama Sutra. In fact, if I am not mistaken, i think Grand Master mentioned this Nature in some of His books...
Wish you success!