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Dr Thynn: That's because desire and clinging precede anger and hatred. In any fit of emotion and our mental formations occur so very fast, we can only identify gross emotions like anger and hatred.
Desire and clinging are much more subtle, so it takes stronger samadhi (focused concentration) to be able to see them.
......You have been conditioned since you were very young to relate everything to yourself. As soon you learn to recognize people and things, you're taught how to relate these to the "I" and "mine" - my mom. my dad, my toy, etc.
As you grow up you're taught how to relate ideas and concepts to yourself. You have to learn that so that you can function properly in society.
......But at the same time, this process slowly and unconsciously creates a concept of selfhood, and you build up your ego. You learn to compete, to achieve, to accumulate knowledge, wealth and power. In other words, you are trained to possess and cling.
......By the time you are grown up, the concept of ego-self has become so real that it is difficult to tell what is illusion and what is reality. It is difficult to realize that "I" and "mine" are temporary, relative, and changeable.
I have daughters,
I have a husband,
I have wealth ...
thinking thus the
fool is troubled.
Indeed, she herself
is not her own.
How can family and
wealth be hers?
............................
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