The Twentieth of 108 Gates of Dharma Illumination

[Shokai]

The Twentieth Gate: Reflection on there being no self.

Reflection on there being no self is a gate of Dharma illumination; for [with it] we do not taintedly attach to self.(Nishijima/Cross)
Visualizing no-self is a gate of realizing Dharma; it frees you from the self. (Tanahashi)

Gate Gatha:
May we, together with all beings;
Concentrate on emptiness,
That we may be free from attachment to self.

Reflection Prompts:
1. Why is it so important that we detach from self ?
2. Once we reflect on there being no self does the attachment drop automatically?
3. Can you comment on other ways in which to achieve the same result?

Capping Verse:

The mirror empty
But for mist
Cast by a warm breath

gassho, Shokai
stlah

[Tairin]

My sense of self is the story I spin about who I am. That story is a continuum from my earliest memories to today but I am clearly a different person than I was as a 6 year old. I am a different person than I was yesterday. So what is self? There is no persistent permanent Tairin. Accepting this means I can drop my attachment to self. Assuming I wake up tomorrow I will be different than I am today.


Tairin
sat today and lah

[Choujou]

Reflection Prompts:
1. Why is it so important that we detach from self ?
2. Once we reflect on there being no self does the attachment drop automatically?
3. Can you comment on other ways in which to achieve the same result?


1. Who? Anatta- self is a delusion

2. No, the ego can be quite stubborn.

3. Samu, Painting, playing/listening to music, reading… anything one loses the sense of self in, and attention is focused on what you are doing in that moment right here and now.

Gassho,
Jay

sat/lah today

[Gean]

Illusion of self is the root of our suffering. The self that lusts for
permanent bliss with impermanent things in an ever shifting world, unrealizing that even bliss is fleeting
and self is ever shifting. Detachment from this self allows us to enjoy
life without having to cling to things, emotions, and people that are ultimately
impermanent without ultimately abandoning them.

Reflection of anātman will not cease attachment immediately. Unguided, these reflections might
even cause depression and mental harm.

Reflection and meditation on the ultimate truth, and cultivation of prajna wisdom
will aid us in realizing śūnyatā. It is most helpful if a mentor is present to guide our practise.
But other meditative practices where the self is lost in action, such as art and music (mellow, unemotionally charged music such as Guqin and Shakuhachi which are my personal picks)
can help aid in the erosion of the false perception of permanent self.

Gassho,
Gean

SatLaH