We need to rethink our conception of ourselves. When we say “I” or “self,” we think of a solid and unified entity. But in reality, this “I” is merely a collection of components, and these components are ephemeral and change every moment, like a waterfall or the flame of an oil lamp. A waterfall seems continuous, but in reality it consists of a constantly changing stream of water droplets. Similarly, the flame of an oil lamp is simply a series of flickering moments without a constant flame.

Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche