“There are four different targets to cut.

(1) The self- importance of our ego-clinging is our major target. This is our belief in the real existence of an “I.”

(2) The second target is our dualistic conceptions. These arise when we make a rigid, deluded separation into subject and object, almost as if we’re starting a war between the two.

(3) The third target is grasping on to the idea that there is solid existence. Without investigating or analyzing it, we believe that things truly exist as solid objects. This belief manifests as our constant reliance on names and labels.

(4) The fourth target is grasping on to notions of identifying characteristics. “This is blue and that is white. This is high and that is low. This is small and that is large.” All of these fabrications about different characteristics and identities must be cut.

The fourth target to cut, in which we grasp on to the identity and characteristics of things, is the strongest of these. We really believe in characteristics, on both the relative and absolute levels. We believe that the qualities of samsara and nirvana really exist. We constantly grasp at this. Sometimes we may even think that this kind of clinging is great! But eventually the sense of greatness deceives us, and again we fall down to the other side of our habitual patterns and suffer. All of our grasping on to these notions has to be thoroughly cut.

Where does this cutting take place? It takes place right there on the spot! On our cushion or wherever we may be in the moment. Right here is the spot.”

Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches
Cutting Through Ego and Revealing Fearlessness:
Chod Practice According to Jigme Lingpa’s Bellowing Laugh of the Dakini (pg 48)

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