cell renew every 7 years, does not means we are complete new or
different, it's still who we are, i think we cannot change the
inherent self.And probably it's good for us to follow and stick to
the inherent self. We are happier to stay who we are.Yes there is
nothing fixed, but within the life span of ourself, we are
consistent, we have die anyway, finally become some ash. But
according to someone we have walked in the world, and left
something, maybe some magnetic wave.
If cells are in the state of everchangingness, there is nothing
fixed and no 'self' can be found in the body.
Our body is only an appearance due to causes
and conditions, ultimately empty, and no 'self' can be found.
The consistencies is simply due to the perpetuation of causes
and conditions, the conditions are there to manifest, they are
simply tendencies and NOT
actuality, and hence there is no inherent existence or a
fixed entity.
I can assure you that if a person die now and reborn, and start
to learn everything again from a different cultural condition, his
behavior and personality will be very different from this life.
OR if a person get hit by a car, suffer amnesia and forget
everything... and relearn everything. His personality may be quite
different from before.
Hence the various conditionings that forms his personality and
behavior can change any moment and are not 'self'.
Of course past life 'seeds' can still affect, but the
conditionings from his present lifetime's family, friends, and
social circle plays a larger role. Past life he can't remember
already. In any case, it is just conditionings, but empty.
There is no inherent self to be found in the body, or the mind,
or the personality, or even beyond. It simply cannot be found. Of
course, go practice yourself and observe... become enlightened then
you'll see with absolute clarity.
