When we arouse bodhicitta, we must try to strike our greatest attachment—self-cherishing. From beginningless time until now, we have not practiced bodhicitta—self-cherishing has been the commander-in-chief and the conqueror in our hearts. It destroyed bodhicitta and the altruistic mind completely. This is also called egoism. In the area of consciousness, "self" is the decisive factor for everything. If we can practice bodhicitta, for a certain time, the bodhicitta will definitely defeat self-cherishing or desire, and emerge as the winner. Of course, at the beginning, when we start practicing, if we are not careful, we can relapse into desire at any time, because the self-cherishing are so high and its power is so strong—but, gradually, it will beat a retreat. And the final attachment can be eliminated through the realization of emptiness.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9