Desire and bondage to the objects desired and the plans to secure them are attributes of the jeevis (individualized selves), not of the Self or atma resident in the body. The sense of “me” and “mine” and the emotions of lust and anger originate in the body-mind complex. Only when this complex is conquered and outgrown can true virtue emanate and manifest. The sense of “doer” and “enjoyer”, of being an agent, might appear to affect the Atma, but they are not part of the genuine nature of the Atma. Things get mirrored and produce images, but the mirror is not tarnished or even affected thereby. It remains as clear as it was. Every jeevi has these as genuine, basic attributes: purity, serenity, and joy. Every individual is ebullient with these qualiti es.
- Sutra Vahini, Chap 1, "Renouncing Me and Mine".
