Real Buddhism in one minute or less
If, by definition, the self or atman is itself and cannot be other than itself then, logically considered, things making up the triple world, which are always impermanent and conditioned, cannot be the self. Thus, it would be a fool's errand to search for our self in what is not the self or anatman. (Looking for our true self in this psychophysical body of ours is truly a fools errand!)
The self (i.e., our real self), with regard to itself, is to be recognized where the triple world does not arise. We can further say that where the triple world does not arise is where nirvana is to be discovered. But nirvana is not nihilismquite the opposite. Nirvana is entrance into the true substance of reality which, like the water of the ocean, is detached from and indifferent to its wave phenomena. This substance, I hasten to add, is eternal bliss/tranquility or sukha.
