The Five Illusionists: inlcudes Sutta Reading, Discussion, and Meditation
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This week’s Dharma talk, Kristen Jones explores how ordinary people become trapped by the belief in a solid and permanent self. Drawing on early Buddhist psychology, the talk explains how clinging to the five aggregates—body, feeling, perception, volitional formations, and consciousness—creates the sense of “me” and “mine.” As a result, mental suffering continues because these constantly changing processes are mistakenly seen as stable and personal.
Consequently, when a fixed self-view is maintained, the mind cycles through frustration and distress. This pattern is similar to a dog running in circles around a stake on a leash. However, through the practice of mindfulness and insight meditation, this habit can be understood and gradually released.
By developing clear insight into the impermanent and not-self (impersonal) nature of experience, attachment to identity weakens over time. Moreover, as meditators learn to observe thoughts, sensations, and emotions as changing processes rather than a fixed self, emotional reactivity decreases. Therefore, this teaching supports the cultivation of wisdom, equanimity, and deeper inner peace, which are central goals of Buddhist meditation practice.
In conclusion, reading and ananysis is followed by group discussion and 30-minutes of meditation.
Watch the video to explore how insight into not-self leads to greater freedom and clarity.
The Lesh
Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi : https://obo.genaud.net/dhamma-vinaya/wp/sn/03_kv/sn03.22.099.bodh.wp.htm
Join weekly sessions at 10:00, Central, 8:00 Pacific Link:
https://www.dhammasukha.org/tuesday-zoom-study-and-meditate
Hosted by: Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center, To be reminded each weekly drop an email to Kirsten@dhammasukha.org
