Egocentric conditioning thrives on deprivation. Then, when we get far enough over into deprivation, the pendulum swings to indulgence, which, of course, puts ego in charge once again. What we aim for on this path is the middle way that is most compassionate to all the parts of ourselves who are involved; the part who always wants more, the part who is critical of that, the part who makes deals about it, the part who gets frustrated and despairing. This is what the Buddha taught--the middle way that allows us to embrace the extremes of deprivation and indulgence, without clinging to either of them.

--Cheri Huber