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“THE ‘I’ INFLUENCED BY ‘HAPPINESS HORMONES’ AND THE UNAFFECTED ‘THE SELF’”

At least 100 substances act as neurotransmitters, but of these, the following four are called “happiness hormones” or “feel-good hormones,” and are said to have a significant impact on the happiness of the separated “I,” the false self:

• Dopamine
• Serotonin
• Oxytocin
• β-Endorphin

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・Dopamine is often referred to as the reward or motivation hormone. It drives us to engage in goal-oriented behavior and gain a sense of pleasure and satisfaction. It helps us to focus on tasks and achieve our goals.

Dopamine deficiency: We will experience a lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of apathy or depression.

・Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and circadian rhythms. It allows us to experience a sense of happiness and contentment. It also helps us to relax and contribute to a healthy sleep cycle. Maintaining a healthy level of serotonin can keep our mood stable and foster a sense of overall well-being.

Serotonin deficiency: We will experience a range of emotional and physiological changes. These can include anxiety, depression, irritability, and even insomnia.

・Oxytocin is referred to as the love hormone or cuddle hormone. Its release can be triggered by various social interactions. It helps us establish social bonding, build trust, and relieve stress.

Oxytocin deficiency: We are more likely to feel lonely, anxious, and stressed. Also, it becomes more difficult to build trust and empathy with others on a deep level.

・Endorphins are a natural pain reliever and stress reducer released in response to fatigue, stress, and pain. They help alleviate discomfort and create a sense of well-being.

Endorphin deficiency: Physical pain and emotional distress may be more noticeable. Low levels of endorphins will also hinder our ability to cope with stress and lead to fatigue, sadness, and anxiety.

(The above is reprinted from the website of the Social Welfare Department, Clinical Psychological Services Branch, Hong Kong)

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Among these, oxytocin, also known as the “bonding hormone,” strengthens bonds with others (recognized as companions), while naturally generating both opposing reactions towards outsiders who do not belong to the group: a protective response towards group members, and due to it, aggressive reactions towards outsiders such as hostility.

In other words, while attachment to companions (friends, family, community, etc.) is born (which based on illusory separation), it inevitably also creates the seeds of conflict and the possibility of defense to protect oneself and companions (for example, killing to escape domestic violence, or in war).

Thus, there is always an inseparable interdependence in relative duality.

Also, dopamine is related to reward and motivation, and while it produces pleasure when goals are achieved, on the other hand, it is also a hormone related to addiction. For example, addiction to external things like food, work, alcohol, and interpersonal relationships is deeply related to dopamine dependence.

This is a natural reaction of the human body.

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Thus, the “I” that is influenced by the reaction of neurotransmitters, that is, the sense of separate “self” is affected in various ways by the external (physical) situation, is precisely where the misperception of existence lies.

In other words, the more unaware of identifying with the thought of a separate “self” the awareness is, the more unconsciously it needs attachment for others.

From this, it is so clear that even if mere idea or secondhand knowledge (thought)—for example, “I am awareness,” “All humanity is connected and one,” or “If people have the right knowledge and cooperate, the world will be peaceful”—can be used to criticize the words and (re)actions of others afterward, but it can never lead for the awareness to recognizing own unconscious identification or gaining insight from it. Therefore, no one can be away from the influence of this natural physical reaction and abide with the awareness without seeing through the fact by the clarity.

Do you see how illogical it is to demand logical, rational, and constant behavior from people, for example, stating that by reason, they should avoid “evil” the “you” think.

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Generally, explanations are given on how these “happiness hormones, feel-good hormones,” affect a person’s mind, mood, and body, and further, how to boost these hormone levels is highly recommended, which means the control of these hormones levels that influence the happiness of the separate “self.”

However, The Self is the very awareness that recognizes all the changes in mind, mood, and body that are influenced by these hormones, and no hormone, in any way, can affect The Self as an absolute entity.

In other words, no matter how much you boost these hormone levels, the “happiness” you gain from it is only temporary. A vague but never-vanished sense of lack always remains, in the end, leading to a constant need to either seek something more or to ignore that lack.

However, as long as you seek external things, or pretend not to notice inside lack—for example, however trying to attain enlightenment or understand the truth—you only reinforce the illusion of “separation,” and the awareness can never realize the unchanging happiness of pure existence, awareness itself, or the truth.

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When the “I” is absent naturally, clarity sees the facts as they are.

Without striving to attain enlightenment or insight (without trying to become someone), nor by suppressing thoughts or emotions, the ever-present clarity of awareness shines effortlessly through a spontenaous surrender of “I,” false “self.”

You do not become a better person.

But, when that idea of ​​“you”collapses, the awareness simply realizes that there was nothing to do in the first place, that no such “I” who need to improve was ever there to begin with, just ever-present as wholeness.

Listen to the inner stillness that never gives verbal instructions or judgments, or commentary or excuses of doings, and clearly see what the “you” you think you are is doing, or (re)acting toward anything, as fact of what is. (OM 🙏)