“The ego creates separation, and separation creates suffering. The ego is therefore clearly pathological. Apart from the obvious ones such as anger, hatred, and so on, there are other more subtle forms of negativity that are so common they are usually not recognized as such, for example, impatience, irritation, nervousnesss, and being ‘fed up.’ They consititue the background unhappiness that is many people’s predominant inner state. You need to be extremly alert and absolutely present to be able to detect them. Whenever you do, it is a moment of awakening, of disidentification from the mind.”

The Secret of Happiness

All of the above are assumptions, unexamined thoughts that are confused with reality. They are stories the ego creates to convince you that you cannot be at peace now or cannot be fully yourself now. Being at peace and bein who you are, that is, being yourslef are one.

How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment.