Conceit and guilt (māna)
Part of key topic Unskillful Qualities
Includes tags: Conceit, Guilt/shame/inadequacy, Judgementalism, Perfectionism, Jealousy, Competitiveness, Selfishness, Self-pity



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Readings from The Island, Session 36 – Mar. 2, 2025

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2. “Is it correct that if the conceit ‘I am’ is penetrated that essentially eliminates the other four fetters?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Fetters] [Conceit]

Sutta: AN 9.3 / Ud 4.1: Meghiya Sutta.


Readings from The Island, Session 37 – Mar. 3, 2025

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6. “According to what you read in the book (The Island by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, p. 123-124; MN 18.16-19), first there is contact and then phassa and vedanā. So first when we have contact there is no self yet. For example, if I contact something painful, at that time I feel I have no self, and then when I feel painful there is still no self, but then I feel like, ‘Oh, I don’t like this painfulness,’ the desire not to have it. Is feeling more self related with desire? It always comes together or not always?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Contact] [Feeling] [Pain] [Self-identity view] [Craving] // [Clinging] [Mindfulness of feeling] [Ascetic practices] [Heedfulness]

Sutta: Ud 1.10: Bāhiya.

Sutta: AN 10.58: “Rooted in interest are all things. …”

Reference: Catastrophe/Apostrophe by Ajahn Amaro, p. 139.

Quote: “Just a few more things for you to let go of.” — Ajahn Chah’s response to Jack Kornfield’s description of his travels and meditation experiences. [Ajahn Chah] [Jack Kornfield] [Relinquishment] [Conceit] [Restlessness and worry]


Readings from The Island, Session 50 – Mar. 20, 2025

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5. Reflections by Ajahn Amaro on “Passion is a maker of measurement; aversion is a maker of measurement …” (SN 41.7). [Perception] [Judgementalism ] [Sensual desire] [Aversion] // [Unwholesome Roots] [Conventions]

Quote: “Is this long or short?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah]


Readings from The Island, Session 56 – Mar. 30, 2025

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5. “Could you repeat the five types of stinginess (AN 5.260)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Greed ] // [Family] [Corruption] [Lodging] [Gain and loss] [Fame and disrepute] [Teaching Dhamma]

Story: Ajahn Mahā Prasert gets sent to Nebraska. [Ajahn Mahā Prasert] [Jealousy]

Suttas: SN 17: Connected Discourses on Gain, Honor, and Fame.

Reading: SN 17.5: The Dung Beetle. [Humor] [Similes]

Reflections on the kammic effects of King Ajātasattu killing his father (DN 2.101). [Kamma] [Killing] [Parents] [Stream entry]

Vinaya: Khandhaka 21.1.3: The First Council occurred at Rājagha, King Ajātasattu’s capital city.


Readings from The Island, Session 59 – May. 3, 2025

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6. Comment: Some people identify with their own suffering or feel they are not worth of not suffering. The grooves in the mind—it becomes a cycle, your own suffering. [Suffering] [Self-identity view] [Guilt/shame/inadequacy]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Conditionality] [Dependent origination] [Ajahn Chah]


Even the Sāsana Will Pass Away – Aug. 24, 2025

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4. The perception of impermanence should be cultivated for the removal of the conceit “I am.” Teaching by Ajahn Pasanno. [Conceit] [Impermanence] // [Self-identity view] [Relinquishment] [Nibbāna] [Cessation of Suffering]

Quote: “Being right doesn’t lead one to freedom from suffering. Oftentimes it just makes you a pain in the butt.” [Views]

Sutta: Ud 4.1.21: Meghiya Sutta.

Sutta: AN 10.60.11: “This is peaceful, this is sublime …”


Abhayagiri’s 30th Anniversary Part 2, Session 5 – Jun. 27, 2026

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4. Recollection: Learning to be honest and humble. Recounted by Sakula. [Truth] [Humility] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Conceit]


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7. Reflection by Sakula: Not taking my anxiety seriously. [Restlessness and worry] [Guilt/shame/inadequacy] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Generosity] [Humor] [Lay life]


Abhayagiri’s 30th Anniversary Part 2, Session 8 – Jun. 27, 2026

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6. Recollection: After drafting an article called “Coming of Age,” Ajahn Amaro reflects that the self-view invested in the idea of being abbot of the California monastery is completely backward. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Amaro ] [Abbot] [Conceit] [Becoming] // [Saṅghapāla] [Pre-Abhayagiri vihāras] [Cause of Suffering] [Disrobing] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Abhayagiri]

Quote: “Being the abbot of a monastery and you’re only 34!” — Ajahn Amaro’s mother. [Parents] [Blame and praise]

Quote: “If our heart is attuned to Dhamma, it’s not about becoming any thing.” [Dhamma] [Beauty]


Hello Dukkha, My Old Friend – Sep. 17, 2026

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15. “Having lived in Thailand for over 20 years and in America for 30 years, do you see any American patterns of dukkha, ways that Americans get caught?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Culture/West] [Suffering] // [Self-identity view] [Selfishness] [Judgementalism] [Conceit] [Relinquishment]

Quote: “I can never get enlightened.” — Ajahn Sumedho. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Liberation]

Quote: “The ‘I’ does not have inherent existence. We have to make it. And then we have to look after it.” [Not-self] [Conceit]


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