In this reading from Buddha's teachings, we have to distinguish between Truth (the deeper, spiritual insight within us) and the Self (our animal nature). To avoid confusion, I have translated 'self' as the 'animal self' throughout the passage.
"The things of the world and its inhabitants are subject to change . . . . But in the changing things there is an underlying constancy, and when this constancy is seen there is truth. The truth lies hidden in samsara, the every world, as the permanent underlying its changes.
Truth desires to appear; truth longs to become conscious; truth strives to know itself.
- There is truth in a stone, for the stone is here; and no power in the world, no god, no man, no demon, can destroy its existence. But the stone has no consciousness.
- There is truth in a plant and its life can expand; the plant grows and blossoms and bears fruit. Its beauty is marvelous, but it has no consciousness.
- There is truth in the animal; it moves about and perceives its surroundings; it distinguishes and learns to choose. There is consciousness, but it is not yet the consciousness of Truth. It is a consciousness of the animal self only.
The consciousness of the animal self dims the eyes of the mind and hides the truth. It is the origin of error, it is the source of illusion, it is the germ of evil. The animal self begets the animal selfishness. There is no evil but what flows from the animal self. There is no wrong but what is done by the assertion of the animal self. The animal self is the beginning of all hatred, of iniquity and slander, of impudence and indecency, of theft and robbery, of oppression and bloodshed. The animal self is Maya (illusion), the tempter, the evil-doer, the creator of mischief. The animal self entices with pleasures. The animal self promises a fairy's paradise. The animal self is the veil of Maya, the enchanter. But the pleasures of the animal self are unreal, its paradisian labyrinth is the road to misery, and its fading beauty kindles the flames of desires that never can be satisfied.
Who shall deliver us from the power of the animal self? Who shall save us from misery? Who shall restore us to a life of blessedness?
There is misery in the world of samsara; there is much misery and pain. But greater than all the misery is the bliss of truth. Truth gives peace to the yearning mind; it conquers error; it quenches the flames of desires; it leads to Nirvana. Blessed is he who has found the peace of Nirvana. He is at rest in the struggles and tribulations of life; he is above all changes; he is above birth and death."
Gautama Buddha, His Life and Teachings
