egoism (asmita) is the identification of consciousness with its instrument (I AM THIS). This causes the sense of a separate autonomous self capable of independent action based on independent choice. This is the fundamental ignorance. Egoism is the inevitable effect of consciousness localising in a sentient organism. As such it is the root of consciousness-of, of the perceptual split between subject and object, self and other, and of the individuate personalisation of action.

Action is driven by attachment and aversion, which gives rise to identification of actions with their instruments. This personalisation of action is selfclinging (abhinivesah). Egoism and selfclinging exist in a selfperpetuating cycle of incompetence. Egoism establishes the ground of duality, on which rests the perceptual split. Within the perceptual split selfclinging identifies actions with subjects and objects, personalising them. This crystalises the the sense of self and other and reinforces egoism. Egoism (consciousness identifying with its instrument ) is the underlying source of selfclinging. Selfclinging (identifying actions with their instruments) is the dynamic sustaining expression of egoism.