We have Three Selves
This is just another way of seeing our make up.

Original wakefulness
Deluded self image
Programmed expression

Original wakefulness – pure essence awareness
Deluded self image – ego clinging
Programmed expression – the vehicle to project either deluded self image (self cherishing),
or essence love (‘mere’ I).

The third self is what others see: our expression and conduct. It is our current, educated state and capacity, and it is here that we have a conflict. We might mean well, but may express this

well-meaning in an unfortunate manner… “Oh, I wish I hadn’t said that!” This is a result of habits in our programming – our software – when our responses are mechanical, and just slip out. Trotting out Dharma to the wrong person at the wrong time is an example of that.

It does not matter whether or not we are well-educated, we can still slip up and reactions based on assumptions still slip out, revealing how much we cling to an ego – a deluded self image.

Then again, it does not matter whether or not we are well-educated, we can still know pure essence awareness, and express essence love in our conduct – in our own way: “To thine own self be true”. Of course, our expression and conduct may be misunderstood by others because of our limited capacity to translate what we feel, but we know what we intended, and if the person with whom we are conversing is bright enough, they will know what we mean. That is a compassionate meeting of minds, because each wants to understand what the other is meaning! Quite often, we can have insight, but not know how to express it or communicate it clearly to others.

We may think that we have to be perfect before we can express love. That we should know how to wave a dorje or beat a drum, or understand Abidharma or Madyamika etc…not so! These are just reminders.

All teachings are a reminder to remain in Original Wakefulness. The Dharma is about subtracting, not adding! Of course, there are many texts explaining details and sub-divisions of the teachings: these can sound complicated and daunting to a degree where terminology can become an obstacle. However, this knowledge is important if we wish to disseminate our and other people’s problems, for example being caught in one of the six realms: this method comes under the heading of “enriching”, and clarifies what we already know but can’t express because of the programming we have consented to – our assumptions about reality.

But remaining in carefree knowingness is all that is needed to experience.

Actually to do that…all you need is love! This is the enlightened activity of pacifying: there is no problem. There may be times when we need to magnetise, enrich or destroy – but these are all within love.

(This third aspect of self is sometimes called the ‘Social I’. It’s how we relate to others, usually due to the feed back we get. It may account for low or high self esteem.)