Is there a correlation between death anxiety and ego?

[mettafuture]

And if there is, what does the Buddha prescribe to counter the ego?

[mikenz66]

[7] "'The perception of not-self in what is stressful, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end': Thus was it said. In reference to what was it said?
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

"Bhikkhus, how do you conceive it: is form permanent or impermanent?" — "Impermanent, venerable Sir." — "Now is what is impermanent painful or pleasant?" — "Painful, venerable Sir." — "Now is what is impermanent, what is painful since subject to change, fit to be regarded thus: 'This is mine, this is I, this is my self'"? — "No, venerable sir."
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .nymo.html

Mike

[mettafuture]

Well, of course. I'm familiar with not-self and impermanence. I guess I was hoping for something that illustrated a connection between anxiety and the ego (if such a connection exists). But thank you for sharing these wonderful verses.



Edit: After some thought, these teachings are in fact exactly what I was looking for. The Buddha conveyed his message in such a subtle way. The lesson is easy to overlook if you aren't paying careful attention.

[Viscid]

In the Insight Knowledges, the understanding of impermanence leads to anxiety stemming from the fact there is ultimately nothing permanent (including the ego) you can hold onto. A nauseating affair.

[mettafuture]

In the Insight Knowledges, the understanding of impermanence leads to anxiety stemming from the fact there is ultimately nothing permanent (including the ego) you can hold onto. A nauseating affair.

Interesting. I really should spend more time reading the works of the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. He's written some of the best books I've read on meditation. Thank you for the recommendation. I'll take a peek at Jean-Paul Sartre as well.

[Kim OHara]

In the Insight Knowledges, the understanding of impermanence leads to anxiety stemming from the fact there is ultimately nothing permanent (including the ego) you can hold onto. A nauseating affair.

Interesting. I really should spend more time reading the works of the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw. He's written some of the best books I've read on meditation. Thank you for the recommendation. I'll take a peek at Jean-Paul Sartre as well.

Sartre's glass was always half empty. The Buddha's was always full enough. Take you your pick.


Kim

[ground]

Well, of course. I'm familiar with not-self and impermanence. I guess I was hoping for something that illustrated a connection between anxiety and the ego (if such a connection exists). But thank you for sharing these wonderful verses.



Edit: After some thought, these teachings are in fact exactly what I was looking for. The Buddha conveyed his message in such a subtle way. The lesson is easy to overlook if you aren't paying careful attention.

Or take this:

From ignorance as a requisite condition come fabrications. From fabrications as a requisite condition comes consciousness. ... Such is the origination of this entire mass of stress & suffering.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Both anxiety and the sense of I and mine do need the arising of consciousness in the sphere of ignorance as a prerequisite. Actually anxiety and consciousness on the one hand and "ego" and consciousness on the other hand cannot be separated as anxiety and "ego" cannot be separated.

[mettafuture]

Sartre's glass was always half empty. The Buddha's was always full enough. Take you your pick.


Kim

Or take this:

From ignorance as a requisite condition come fabrications. From fabrications as a requisite condition comes consciousness. ... Such is the origination of this entire mass of stress & suffering.

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

Both anxiety and the sense of I and mine do need the arising of consciousness in the sphere of ignorance as a prerequisite. Actually anxiety and consciousness on the one hand and "ego" and consciousness on the other hand cannot be separated as anxiety and "ego" cannot be separated.

Well said.

Anxiety is just a kind of suffering. End suffering, and you end anxiety.

[Spiny Norman]

Sartre's glass was always half empty.

Hence the famous line "Hell is other people".