How does one develop the twenty types of ego/Identity View (sakkāya-diṭṭhi) according to the Buddha (Paṭisambhidāmagga)?

 Form (rūpa – body/appearance)

1. Form as self– This body itself is me.

→ Example: If my body is healthy, I am fine. If it’s sick, I am broken.

2. Self as possessing form – I am the owner of this body.

→ Example: This is my body; I can do whatever I want with it.

3. Form as in self – My body is inside my self.

→ Example: My true self carries this body inside it, like a shell.

4. Self as in form– My self lives inside this body.

→ Example: There is a little ‘me’ living inside my heart or brain.

How to Look at Form (rūpa)

Instead of:

• “This body is me / mine / in me / containing me.”

One contemplates:

• This body is conditioned (food, climate, aging)

• This body changes beyond control

• This body does not obey wishes

Correct seeing:

“Form is dependently arisen, impermanent, subject to decay.
Therefore, it cannot be self.”

Insight shift
Not “Who am I in this body?”
But “How does this body arise, change, and cease?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feeling (vedanā – pleasant, unpleasant, neutral experiences)

5. Feeling as self– My feelings are me.

→ Example: I am happy = I am a happy person; I am sad = I am a sad person.

6. Self as possessing feeling – I own my feelings.

→ Example: These emotions are mine to keep or control.

7. Feeling as in self – Feelings live inside my self.

→ Example: Deep inside me are my true feelings.

8. Self as in feeling– I live inside my feelings.

→ Example: When I’m angry, I feel swallowed up by anger — I am nothing but anger.

How to Look at Feeling (vedanā)

Instead of:

• “I am happy / I am suffering.”

• “I live inside my emotions.”

One contemplates:

• Feeling arises from contact (phassa)

• Pleasant, painful, and neutral feelings change rapidly

• Feelings cannot be kept or commanded

Correct seeing:

“Feeling is just felt — arising and passing away.”

Insight shift
Not “This feeling defines me.”
But “This feeling is happening.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Perception (saññā – recognition, labelling, memory images)

9. Perception as self – My thoughts and recognitions are me.

→ Example: Because I remember things, that’s who I am.

10. Self as possessing perception – I own my perceptions.

→ Example: These are my ideas, my opinions, my way of seeing the world.

11. Perception as in self – My recognitions live inside me.

→ Example: All my memories and labels are stored inside myself.

12. Self as in perception – I live inside my perceptions.

→ Example: Without my way of seeing things, I would not exist — my identity depends on my perceptions.

How to Look at Perception (saññā)

Instead of:

• “My memories are me.”

• “My identity depends on how I see things.”

One contemplates:

• Perceptions label, but do not guarantee truth

• Memory is selective, distortive, and impermanent

• Saññā changes with mood, age, trauma, context

Correct seeing:

“Perception merely recognizes; it does not own reality.”

Insight shift
Not “This is how I see the world.”
But “This is how recognition is occurring now.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volitional Formations (saṅkhārā – choices, habits, mental activities)

13. Formations as self – My choices and habits are me.

→ Example: I am my career, my discipline, my willpower.

14. Self as possessing formations – “I own my decisions and habits.”

→ Example: This is my personality; I control my habits.

15. Formations as in self – My choices and activities live inside me.

→ Example: I contain my talents, skills, and habits.

16. Self as in formations – I live inside my decisions and habits.

→ Example: I am nothing but my routines and mental activities.

How to Look at Volitional Formations (saṅkhārā)

Instead of:

• “I am my choices.”

• “This is my personality.”

One contemplates:

• Saṅkhārā are conditioned habits

• Intentions arise from past causes

• Even willpower is unstable and trainable

Correct seeing:

“Formations construct experience, but are not an agent.”

Insight shift
Not “I am disciplined/lazy / ambitious.”
But “This tendency has arisen due to conditions.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consciousness (viññāṇa – awareness, knowing)

17. Consciousness as self – My awareness is me.

→ Example: I think, therefore I am.”

18. Self as possessing consciousness – I own my awareness.

→ Example: This is my mind; it belongs to me.

19. Consciousness as in self– My awareness lives inside my self.

→ Example: Inside the true self, there is a little flame of consciousness.

20. Self as in consciousness – I live inside my awareness.

→ Example: The real me is trapped inside this stream of thoughts.

How to Look at Consciousness (viññāṇa)

Instead of:

• “Awareness is my true self.”

• “I live inside consciousness”

One contemplates:

• Consciousness arises only with conditions (sense + object)

• There are many consciousnesses, not one permanent knower

• Consciousness ceases moment by moment

Correct seeing:

“Consciousness depends on conditions; it does not stand alone.”

Insight shift
Not “I am awareness”
But “There is knowing happening.”