Impermanence, un-satisfactoriness, and the non-self are the three marks of existence. More simply, all things that rise will fall, the experience of rising and falling is ultimately unsatisfactory, and the self which experiences this flux never exists at any one point in time. The mind passes from moment to moment, and the self of which we are aware subjectively exists only when we dwell in memory and internalize feelings. The “I” arises as a construct of a conscious and working memory. Memory strings together distinct moments and the “I” is begotten from them. If we do not grasp or linger in thought on these feelings of inadequacy, the “I” will not internalize them and we are freed from inadequacy in that moment.

When thoughts and emotions rise, pay them mind and let them fall. Self-awareness is simply paying close attention to experiences moment to moment and breath by breath. Liberation from mind is non-dwelling. When we find our self lost in thought or find our mind noisy, we should return to our breath knowing that all things will pass.