Three Types of Selfing

Moffitt describes three types of “selfing” that undermine our integrity: selfishness, self-centeredness, and self-referencing. Selfishness is when you focus on your own advantage at the expense of others. Self-centeredness is when you orient to the world as if everything that happens is about you. Self-referencing is when you constantly ask, “How does this affect me?” and compare yourself to others. The differences between self-centeredness and self-referencing are subtle but critical distinctions when it comes to understanding how identity is created and how the dharma can help us let go of clinging to identity.

Date of talk: September 9, 2007
Length: 46 minutes