There Is No You There

Then, Bahiya,…

When for you there will be only the seen in reference to the seen, only the heard in reference to the heard, only the sensed in reference to the sensed, only the recognized in reference to the recognized, then, Bahiya, there is no you in connection with that.

When there is no you in connection with that, there is no you there. When there is no you there, you are neither here nor there nor between-the-two.

This, just this, is the end of stress.

(Reference: UD 1.10)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he points to The Universal Truth of Non-self.

The Universal Truth of Non-self is required to be learned, reflected upon, and practiced to eliminate the fetter/taint of “Personal Existence View”. This is a Teaching that I suggest a Practitioner gain some basic familiarity with then sets aside while they focus on establishing a well developed practice of The Eight Fold Path.

Then, as the mind enters the Jhānas, a Practitioner could more deeply learn, reflect, and practice The Teaching of “The Universal Truth of Non-self” to eliminate the fetter/taint of “Personal Existence View” to move the mind into the first Stage of Enlightenment and beyond. A Practitioner would be unable to eliminate the fetter/taint of “Personal Existence View” early in practice as the mind is not yet prepared to release this fetter/taint. It is only once a Practitioner deeply prepares the mind through a well developed practice of The Eight Fold Path will it be ready and able to release the “Personal Existence View” through understanding and practicing The Universal Truth of Non-self.

Through the elimination of “Personal Existence View” by realizing “non-self” the mind will be able to “end stress” and all other discontent feelings as all of The Ten Fetters are eliminated.

Detailed explanation of The Universal Truth of Non-self is available in Chapter 4 and 16 of this same book series found in the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).