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Individuality, True and False

by Sangharakshita

Tackling such terms as self, I, individual, and ego, reveals that each can have both a positive and a negative connotation. What is the self, and how can we cultivate true Individuality?

Talk given in 1970.

This talk is part of the series Aspects of the Higher Evolution of the Individual.

Tracks (click play to listen)

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	1.	The past and future evolution of Man; taking difficulties seriously: examples from the Bhagavad Gita and the Dhammapada; problems and difficulties - alienated awareness (13:56)
	2.	The problem of individuality - what is the 'self'? Reforming ourselves in the face of confusion - Confucius and 'the rectification of terms' (14:21)
	3.	Four terms: i. Self ii. Individual iii. Ego iv. Person; the basis of distinction between positive and negative usage of the terms - 'horizontal integration' (10:42)
	4.	'Vertical integration'; psychological definitions of the four terms (5:28)
	5.	Understanding the Buddha's teaching of anatta ('no self') (4:53)