My dear friends,

The journey towards awakening is often said to be one of losing oneself, but this is not a loss in the conventional sense of the word. Rather, it is a discovery—a profound realization that what we have always clung to as "self" is merely a construct, a phantom of our conditioned mind. This understanding, known as the truth of no-self, is considered the pinnacle of spiritual learning because it dissolves the very root of suffering: the illusion of a separate, permanent "I."

Atisha reminds us that understanding the truth of no-self is the best form of learning, for it strikes at the heart of our mistaken perception of reality. The belief in a permanent, independent self is what gives rise to attachment, aversion, and all other mental afflictions. When we realize that what we call "self" is just a collection of ever-changing elements—thoughts, emotions, sensations—we begin to loosen the grip of ego and the suffering it generates. True freedom is found not in holding on but in letting go of the idea of a fixed "I."

Chekawa’s instruction to "banish the one object of every blame" invites us to recognize that the root of all our troubles lies in the misconception of self. We tend to blame external circumstances or people for our suffering, but at the core, it is our own clinging to a self that gives rise to pain. When we understand that this self is an illusion, we can release our habitual patterns of blaming and instead cultivate compassion for others, who are also trapped by the same misunderstanding. Letting go of the self is the first step toward true love and forgiveness.

Jesus' words in Matthew are a profound teaching on the path of surrender. To "lose one's life" is to let go of the ego-driven clinging to identity and self-importance. In the Christian context, losing oneself in service, love, and faith becomes the path to truly "finding" one's life—a life that is not bound by the small, fearful self, but expanded by the love and compassion of the Divine. This is parallel to the Buddhist understanding of no-self, where losing our attachment to the ego reveals our interconnectedness with all beings, allowing the mind of Christ, or Bodhicitta, to flourish within us.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the old self being crucified, which symbolizes the abandonment of the ego that is ensnared in desires, attachments, and aversions. This crucifixion of the old self is akin to the realization of no-self—it is the dissolution of the belief in a separate, sinful identity. By letting go of this illusion, we are no longer enslaved by the habitual actions and reactions driven by ignorance. Instead, we become instruments of love, no longer bound by the chains of ego but liberated in the freedom of a greater purpose.

Paul’s insight that "it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" reflects the transformative power of realizing no-self. When we transcend the illusion of a personal, separate self, we allow the true nature of love and wisdom—embodied here as Christ or bodhicitta—to express itself through us. Our actions are no longer driven by selfish motives, but are instead guided by the divine presence that loves unconditionally. This is the essence of the Bodhisattva path, where the individual "I" dissolves, and only the compassionate heart remains, working for the benefit of all beings.

Realizing the truth of no-self is not a matter of intellectual understanding; it is a deep, experiential shift that transforms our entire way of being. It allows us to transcend suffering, open ourselves fully to others, and become vessels of the divine love that has no boundaries. As Atisha wisely said, this is the best learning, for it reveals to us the freedom, peace, and interconnectedness that lies beyond the illusion of separation. May we all learn to let go of the false self that binds and blinds us, so that we may find truly immeasurable love, compassion and wisdom.