The Peace Beyond Ego and Grasping
Having laid down the ego of 'I,' the force that pushes by will, vanity, craving and anger, and the urge to grasp, and freed from clinging to 'mine' — such a one is at peace.
The old teacher tells not what one must gain but what one must lay down to reach calm — ego, forcing, vanity, craving, anger, grasping, and clinging to 'mine.' The insight is that peace comes by subtraction, not addition.
Which of these most often shatters my peace — ego, craving, or the urge to grasp?
📝Reflection
The old teacher tells not what one must gain but what one must lay down to reach calm — ego, forcing, vanity, craving, anger, grasping, and clinging to 'mine.' The insight is that peace comes by subtraction, not addition. I try to acquire more for peace, but in truth the mind lightens as I set this list down one by one. Especially the last, clinging to 'mine (mama)' — this is the root. The more is mine, the more there is to guard; the more to guard, the more fear. Laozi's 'one who knows contentment is rich' and the Stoic 'one who wants little is free' live here. As much as I release, so much do I grow calm.
🌱Apply It Today
When your mind is turbulent today, name which item on this list grips you now, and say 'I set this down for now.'
This verse is read as universal humanistic wisdom, not religion — no faith is promoted, and the reflection is 100% original ONGO content.
