the things that divert attention from ourselves

since they're not based on the sole reality of what we are, the things we choose to pay attention to over our inherent freeness need not be important or have any lasting hold over us as long as they serve the momentary function of diverting our attention away from ourselves. this habit, once initiated, gains its own momentum. eventually, we don't even notice that we're constantly running away from ourselves and perceive this habit as an inherent aspect of human life.

throughout it all, the one truth of what we are remains constant. it is the one and only thing that stays the same throughout all the changing circumstances of our lives, the only thing we've actually been aware of the whole time.