The root of the problem is the delusion of selfhood. Because we are living in this delusion, this prison of self, we identify with the afflictive emotions, thereby feeding and encouraging them.

Joseph Goldstein (1944 CE--), Joseph Goldstein, one of the first American vipassana teachers, co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, author of numerous popular books and resident guiding teacher, and leader of retreats worldwide on insight (vipassana) and lovingkindness (metta) meditation.