By being mindful and observing our thoughts and feelings we begin to notice our inner world. This is the first big step towards changing our reality. Read More
If we do not love ourselves, how can we love others?
When some people talk of compassion, they have the notion that it entails a total disregard or even a sacrificing of one’s own interests. This is not the case. In fact, genuine love should first be directed at oneself – if we do not love ourselves, how can we love others?
Seeing the sameness of ourselves and others
Out of habit our feelings towards depend very much on their circumstances. Most people, when they see someone who is handicapped, feel sympathetic toward that person. But when they see others who are wealthier, or better educated, or better placed socially, they immediately feel envious and competitive towards them. Our negative feelings prevent us from… Read More
Do you remember the old drive-in movies?
Do you remember the old drive-in movies? After everyone was seated in their car with the speaker hooked to the window, before the movie started, hordes of people jumped out their cars and went to buy a coke. Subliminally “buy a coke” was flashed on the screen, too short to notice. Yet it moved people… Read More
Just like me
Every time you meet someone, think, “just like me, she just wants to be happy. Just like me, he just wants to be free of pain.” Emaho!
There are only two days
There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called ‘yesterday’ and the other is called ‘tomorrow.’ So today is the right day to love, believe, act, and mostly live.
Worry
Shantideva writes [6.10], “Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And why be unhappy about something that cannot be remedied?” Worry only compounds the problem.
We become part of the machine
Modern pushes us on to a producing and consuming treadmill. We become part of the machine and lose connection with ourselves. Daily life saps our energy and eats up our time for awareness and mindfulness. We are confused and blown here and there like a dry leaf in the wind. RECONNECT with love and compassion.… Read More
We have a strong tendency
We have a strong tendency, most of us, to put ourselves down. We are too hard on ourselves. We never feel “good enough.” Often these feelings come from our childhood. Maybe we were told we were not good enough. Maybe we developed too high expectations for ourselves. Nevertheless, we can change this attitude by recognizing… Read More
Guilt blocks our full happiness
Guilt blocks our full happiness, yet we often beat ourselves up, and then feel guilty in the process. This is selfish as it drains our energy on ourself. Learning to be kind to others must start “at home” being kind to ourselves. When we are able to forgive ourselves and be gentle towards ourselves we… Read More
