This sermon focuses on the relationship between morality and consciousness. Set designers paint a foreground or background scene on it. A scrim creates a magical illusion. When the stage lights in front are on and the lights behind are off, the fabric appears as opaque as a wall mural. However, when the lights in front are dark and the lights behind are bright, the audience can see right through the scrim to the props and actors beyond.
Self is like a scrim.
However, when we are filled with light, when we are filled with love, joy or delight, our sense of self becomes gossamer. We feel translucent. If we open our minds and hearts to our suffering, fear, failure and foolishness, we cultivate compassion, courage, nobility and wisdom.