We do not just let ourselves be happy or sad, for instance; we must become a happy person or a sad one. This is the chronic tendency of the ignorant or deluded mind, to make “things” out of that which is no thing.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote highlights the human tendency to label and categorize emotions and experiences, often leading to attachment and identification with them. It suggests that instead of simply experiencing emotions, we tend to identify ourselves with those emotions and make them a part of our identity. It conveys that this tendency arises from ignorance or delusion, where we attach a sense of permanence and solidity to transient experiences. It implies that understanding the transient and ever-changing nature of emotions and experiences can help us develop a more mindful and balanced approach towards them, and not be overly identified with them.
Who said the quote?
The quote " We do not just let ourselves be happy or sad, for instance; we must become a happy person or a sad one. This is the chronic tendency of the ignorant or deluded mind, to make “things” out of that which is no thing.” was said in the book Thoughts Without a Thinker (Summary) by Mark Epstein. Mark Epstein is a psychiatrist and author who has explored the intersection of Buddhism and Western psychology, particularly in his book "Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart."
What's the quote's message?
This quote delves into the human tendency to identify with and attach ourselves to emotions, specifically happiness and sadness. It suggests that instead of simply experiencing these emotions as passing states, we often internalize them and allow them to define our overall identity.
The quote challenges the notion that we must become "happy people" or "sad people" as a result of experiencing moments of happiness or sadness. It points out that this tendency is a chronic pattern of the ignorant or deluded mind, which ascribes an excessive sense of permanence and solidity to transient emotional states.
In essence, the quote highlights the fallacy of allowing emotions to define our entire being. Emotions are fluid and ever-changing, and identifying ourselves solely based on specific emotional states can limit our understanding of the complexities of human experience.
The phrase "to make 'things' out of that which is no thing" suggests that emotions, in their essence, are intangible and impermanent. They arise and pass away, much like waves in an ocean. The ignorant or deluded mind tends to solidify and give undue significance to emotions, transforming them into concrete identities or defining characteristics.
By recognizing this tendency, the quote invites us to cultivate a deeper awareness of our emotions and avoid becoming overly attached to them. It suggests that we have the capacity to observe and experience emotions without allowing them to shape our fundamental sense of self.
The underlying message encourages us to embrace a more mindful and nuanced approach to our emotions. Rather than becoming identified with happiness or sadness, we can develop an understanding that these emotions are temporary states that do not define our core essence.
By transcending the limited view of emotions as fixed identities, we open ourselves up to a broader range of experiences and a more profound understanding of our true nature. We can cultivate a sense of inner freedom and authenticity that goes beyond the transient nature of emotions, enabling us to navigate life's ups and downs with greater equanimity and clarity of mind.
Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
To illustrate the message behind this quote, we can turn to the teachings of the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, known for his mindfulness practices and teachings on happiness and suffering.
Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes the idea that our happiness or sadness is not solely determined by external circumstances but also by our own internal perceptions and attitudes. He teaches that rather than simply experiencing happiness or sadness as passing emotions, we often identify ourselves completely with these emotions, defining ourselves as "happy people" or "sad people."
One of the historical examples that reflect this message is the life and teachings of the Buddhist monk and scholar Nagarjuna, who lived in India around the 2nd century CE. Nagarjuna is known for his work on the philosophy of emptiness (shunyata), which emphasizes the interdependence and lack of inherent existence of all phenomena.
Nagarjuna taught that our tendency to solidify and create identities based on our emotions, such as becoming a "happy person" or a "sad person," is a product of our ignorant or deluded minds. He argued that these emotional states are transient and empty in nature, lacking inherent existence or substantiality.
According to Nagarjuna, by attaching ourselves to these emotions and identifying with them, we create unnecessary suffering and perpetuate a cycle of delusion. Instead, he advocated for the practice of recognizing the impermanent and interdependent nature of emotions, understanding that they arise and pass away without fixed identities.
This historical example demonstrates the message behind the quote. It suggests that our tendency to solidify and attach ourselves to emotions, creating fixed identities based on them, leads to suffering and a distorted perception of reality. The quote encourages us to let go of the notion of fixed identities and to see emotions for what they truly are: fleeting experiences that arise and fade away.
Through mindfulness and the understanding of emptiness, we can cultivate a deeper awareness of the impermanent nature of emotions, freeing ourselves from unnecessary suffering and allowing us to embrace a more fluid and compassionate relationship with our emotional states.
Nagarjuna's teachings, along with the message of the quote, remind us of the importance of cultivating mindfulness and letting go of the tendency to create fixed identities based on transient emotions. By recognizing the empty nature of emotions, we can find greater peace and freedom in our lives.
* The editor of this interpretation made every effort to maintain information accuracy. This includes the source and any key ideas or meanings conveyed in it.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
