At the moment of awakening,

The Buddha exclaimed:

“Wonder of wonders!

All living beings are

truly enlightened and

shine with wisdom and virtue.

But because their minds

have become deluded and

become attached to a self,

they fail to understand this.”

 --Kegon Sutra

 

One of the exciting developments of psychoanalysis is the identification of attachment styles. We all come into this world with essential attachments to our parents and caretakers. Infants cannot survive on their own so the relationship with the one who feeds and cares for us is necessary for our ability to develop the means to care for ourselves. This leaves a powerful impression and becomes a frame of reference for our experiences in the world. At the heart of these changes is our true self, that part of our mind that is aware of the thoughts and feelings linked to the experiences that can define who we are. To understand this and allow our truly enlightened mind to shine we can consider all of our thoughts and feelings with a genuine curiosity that is not driven by guilt, shame, or anger.