Who are you?: Insights from Bodhidharma
Understanding Delusion and True Self
In today’s world, many of us are confused about who we are. We create and cling to various identities given to us by society, our achievements, and our minds. These layers of false identities make us feel safe but also trap us in a kind of everyday madness, keeping us from facing the emptiness inside us.
But what if this emptiness isn’t something to fear? In this blog post, we’ll explore the teachings of Bodhidharma, who offers a way to see through these illusions. By stripping away the layers of false identities, Bodhidharma shows us how to find our true selves.
The Illusion of Identity
THE BUDDHA SAID PEOPLE ARE DELUDED. THIS IS WHY WHEN THEY ACT THEY FALL INTO THE RIVER OF ENDLESS REBIRTH. AND TRYING TO GET OUT, THEY ONLY SINK DEEPER. AND ALL BECAUSE THEY DON’T SEE THEIR NATURE.
To truly understand ourselves, we must confront the layers of illusions we’ve built around us. Many of us live lives that don’t reflect our true nature, as if we’re acting out roles rather than living authentically. This delusion keeps us from being genuine, leading to actions that often miss the mark. As a result, many people experience lives filled with misery, suffering, and inner turmoil.
When you take a moment to observe yourself, you’ll begin to see the profound truth in the idea that “people are deluded.” This delusion is why our actions often lead us astray and why we find ourselves in a state of constant dissatisfaction and pain. By facing ourselves without these illusions, we can start to live more authentically and find a path to true happiness and fulfilment.
The mind is quite ordinary and suited for handling daily tasks and interactions in the outside world. However, when it comes to understanding our inner selves, the mind is of no use. To truly know our inner being, we must go beyond the superficial mind and leave behind all the perceptions, assumptions, memories, and judgments. This is the essence of meditation. Through meditation, we learn to move past the limitations of the mind and connect with our true selves at far deeper levels, where the mind is still present but is instead merely an observer.
Whatever happens, Buddha teaches us to understand that it is simply the nature of things. There is no need to be overly happy or miserable, nor should we be greatly affected by anything that occurs. Birth and death are part of this natural flow, and we must remain in a state of suchness, accepting that this is how life works. This is the way of life, and we cannot change it. Just as rivers flow towards the ocean and fire is hot, this suchness is our true nature. Embracing this understanding helps us live in harmony with the way things are.
