This refers to the mind’s distinction between self and others. It means the mind distinguishing between people and oneself, and between what belongs to others and what belongs to oneself, in terms of superiority, inferiority, and worth. This distinction is as follows:
Self: The mind distinguishes between oneself and others, wanting others to always follow one’s wishes and to be dependent on, inferior to oneself in every way.
Self-Clinging: The distinction that oneself is more valuable than others, more worthy of life than others, and must possess and enjoy every high-class and luxurious thing before others.
Others’ Possessions: The distinction that if someone possesses something good, beautiful, or precious, one wants to take it for oneself, even if the other person disagrees or finds it unreasonable. Conversely, if something is inferior or less valuable than one’s own, one finds every way to criticize and reject it.
My Possessions: The distinction that everything belonging to oneself is valuable, far superior to what belongs to others, and one must carefully protect it. If something is lost, one becomes sorrowful, searches for it, and harbors all sorts of suspicions. Sometimes, because of our own small actions, we inadvertently harm the lives or property of others.
In short, because of the deluded mind that distinguishes between self and others, people become attached to fame, fortune, and love… to nourish their illusory bodies, thus being trapped in endless cycles of reincarnation.
The Master once advised (in GM TK, Vol. 4):
“The word ‘self’ is too harsh,
We should not discriminate against others.”
