[2026 September DCTB Mindfulness Tip]
In order to interact within this physical world, we must play a role. We put on a viewpoint and definition of ourselves the same way we get dressed in the morning. Most people do this unconsciously, donning the apparel they have accumulated through conditioning. Mental habits reinforce the conditioning and create a sense of normalcy. Our unique personality quirks give these costumes our own special style.
As we develop on the spiritual path, we begin to recognize that we are playing a role, that there is more to us than the costume we happen to be wearing at any particular time. We start to see we have at the ready a variety of outfits for both our body and mind. There is the one we wear to our job, one while driving, another one for going out with friends, and yet another one for our time alone at home.
Through mindfulness practice we discover the ability to consciously change our outward display. Just like learning how to dress appropriately for different types of work, we learn how to modify the expression of our mind – our views and self-definition – to better fit our goals. We find we can actually become someone else when we want to if we develop our will power.
All of this is training. We are not trying to be anyone in particular. Rather, this play with roles is to show us Buddha’s teaching of Arising, Abiding, and Falling Away.
With practice, we become more and more fluid. Interacting with the world becomes less about what we want and more about what is needed of us in a particular situation. When we cultivate a core view in service of Enlightenment, this frees us from having to be Someone.
All this maintenance of paying attention and letting ourselves transform to meet the moment takes work. In addition, there is pressure from others who are trying to figure out who we are. On top of that, our own mind wants to know where we stand, who we are “supposed” to be. The mind’s solution to this dilemma is to adopt a stereotype. It happens without us even thinking about it.
However, we must watch diligently for the trap of stereotypes.
In a moment of weakness or if we are tired and start coasting, we gravitate to a stereotype that seems to fit most of what we need to do. Or we might be pushed into a stereotype by those around us, and instead of fighting it, we give in and adopt it wholeheartedly. Who hasn’t had the thought: “if that’s who they think I am, I might as well be it!”
Before we realize what has happened, we may become a flattened version of an office worker who is polite, on time, and operates on a fixed time schedule doing the bare minimum while trying to maximize their paycheck. Or our stereotype might be more aspirational where we are the devoted spiritual seeker who never questions the teacher and lives with our head in the clouds pretending we are not affected by the problems of the world. If we have achieved some level of realization, we might affix to the stereotype of the guru or master and allow others to believe we have all the answers while we privately struggle and hide from our attachments.
Even when riddled with painful side-effects, the stereotype becomes a comfortable mask. That form, with all of its positive and negative qualities becomes our shield and our stability in an ever-changing existence. Intellectually, we might know we are wearing a mask, but without conscious effort to remove it, we start to behave according to all of the rules of the role we have assumed. We even start to defend this persona when our views are threatened. The core of our practice becomes clouded. We start to be that Someone. Often it occurs so slowly and so completely that we fool ourselves. From the comfort of our stereotype mask, we think we are following the Dharma, but we are really just playing a fictional role.
The remedy is to return to our basic practice: Pay Attention and Keep Dancing. We watch the mind. We meditate. We contemplate. We embrace Humility. And this allows us to move back into full consciousness. Over time we once again recognize that we have donned a costume. We start to sense there is more to us than this outward appearance. The natural inclination to be of service rises and we begin to meet the challenge. We once again become no one in particular. And the dance between existence and non-existence continues.
As we practice humility and take stock of our actions, we might discover we have caused harm while wearing the costume. In that case, we need to accept responsibility and make whatever amends are possible. This allows us to fully face the underlying attachments that caused us to get stuck. If we don’t follow through with humility, we continue to be at risk of the trap of stereotypes. We will continue to fool ourselves into believing we are Someone.
No matter where we are on the Path, the trap of stereotypes remains. Even the highly developed sage Vishvamitra abandoned his spiritual pursuits when he fell in love with a celestial nymph. At the sight of her, he donned the role of an ordinary man following worldly pursuits for 10 years before recognizing his spiritual progress had stopped.
To continue to express and celebrate Enlightenment in this world, we must be diligent. The Path requires from us everything. Enlightenment is an ongoing unfolding of awareness, and if we wish to know and be that, we must devote ourselves to the practice, by promising ourselves to Pay Attention and Keep Dancing.
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