(Minghui.org) What is the false self and what is the true self? My personal understanding is that the false self is guided by human attachments, and one’s true self is guided by divine nature. During our cultivation process we remove the false self and resurrect the true self.

Non-practitioners think they are in charge and make the decisions, but in fact they are guided by their acquired human notions, emotions and desires, and all kinds of human attachments, including fame and fortune, competitive and show-off mentality, jealousy, lust, zealotry, and so on. There are many kinds of attachments, and more have surfaced with the changing social environment, such as the Internet, cell phones, computers, games, etc., that people can no longer live without.

On the other hand, there is only one true self—that is the pure Main Soul from which all these artificially imposed substances have been removed. Numerous false selves control and even dominate the true self, and coupled with the influence of society, the pure and kind nature of our true selves has been buried.

How do we discern the false self from the true self? Only by doing what Master says, cultivating according to Dafa, and treating oneself as a cultivator can one distinguish between the false self and the true self.

For example, when we encounter conflicts, if we justify ourselves and point fingers at others, that is behavior of the false self; looking inward to find one’s own faults is the true self. One who is angry, fighting, and aggrieved is exhibiting behavior of the false self, and one who is tolerant, forgiving, and kind indicating the true self. The false self strives for fame and profit, but the true self looks down on fame and profit. Selfishness is the false self, selflessness is the true self. One who has strong desire, shows off, and rejoices is the false self; one who does not react emotionally, has few desires, and is calm and peaceful is the true self.

A cultivator must not only distinguish between the false self and the true self, but also meet the standard through solid cultivation. Failure to do so is a result of not having strong righteous thoughts, lack of diligence, and being irresponsible to oneself.

Only by distinguishing the difference and practicing compassion and altruism can we improve.

The false self is a postnatal life attached to the true self. Every being wants to live, and in cultivation there’s a life-and-death contest between the false self and the true self. Only when the false self dies, can the true self live!

When our main consciousness is not strong, our righteous thoughts are insufficient, we’re unable to let go of attachments and cannot distinguish between the false self and the true self, the false self will play a role in interfering, hindering, and controlling the Main Soul to do things that do not meet the criteria of a cultivator. It creates an opportunity for the false self to survive and grow.

We should study the Fa attentively and treat ourselves as practitioners, have a strong main consciousness, and sufficient righteous thoughts to suppress and eliminate our attachments and human notions. If we always strive to conduct ourselves according to Dafa’s principles, let our true self dominate our Main Soul, and be noble and firm Dafa disciples, the false self will gradually die out, and the true self will be awakened and resurrected. We will then be able to achieve Righteous Fruition and Consummation through cultivation.

I’d like to conclude my sharing with Master’s teachings:

“Today is Easter, the day of a god's resurrection! (Enthusiastic applause) This is all I'll say today. On this special, glorious day, may Dafa disciples' divine sides also be resurrected!” (“Teaching the Fa on Easter, 2004, at the New York Fa Conference,” Collected Fa Teaching, Vol. VI)

The above is my limited understanding. Please kindly point out anything inappropriate. Heshi!

[Editor's note: Views expressed in this article represent the author's own opinions, for which the author is solely responsible. Readers should evaluate the article's merits on their own.]