What Is Self?

1...Form = A person, a place, a thing, an idea.

2...Perception = Our Eyes, or Ears, our Nose, our Tongue, our Touch, or our Mind experiences a Form.

3...Feeling = We experience an emotional response to the Form; like or dislike.

4...Consciousness = The Form is colored with our own personal Perceptions and Feelings. This is the result of our history.

5...Volition = The Action we take in regard to the Form; clinging or rejection.

This is the mental process that gives rise to I. Me, and Mine. The Buddha referred to these five as the Shandhas or the Five Aggregates.

When there is I, Me. Mine, there is self.