How to Eliminate the View of Self in the Mental Faculty

It is not difficult to understand the principle that the five aggregates are suffering, empty, impermanent, and without self. The challenge lies in the deep-rootedness of habitual views, which are difficult to transform. Understanding some Buddhist teachings is not difficult; what is difficult is changing one's views and achieving genuine recognition of these Dharma principles. Everyone knows the physical form is impermanent and cannot be the self, yet this knowledge is useless—the view of self regarding the body cannot be severed. This is because the ancient notions held by manas (the mental faculty) are too deeply ingrained; it is consistently unable to change course, unable to untangle this knot. Therefore, continuous and repeated habituation is necessary to alter its erroneous thoughts and views.

How can one change the thought and view that the five aggregates constitute the self? By thoroughly scrutinizing the phenomena of the physical body—its arising and ceasing, its changes and impermanence—and clearly knowing this matter. Then, condense this understanding into a single point and deeply embed it within the heart, entrusting it to manas. Thus, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, keep this matter suspended in the mind. During seated meditation or quiet sitting, also keep it suspended—deeply and profoundly suspended. If the observation is not comprehensive or thorough enough, observe and contemplate again. One day, the dull faculties of manas will awaken, and suddenly it will understand: "Indeed, the physical body is not the self." Thus, the view of self regarding the body is severed.