“The Dalai Lama talks often of the lack of real self-love and self-respect that he sees in many people in the modern world. Underlying our whole outlook is a neurotic conviction of our own limitations. This denies us all hope of awakening and tragically contradicts the central truth…that we are all already essentially perfect.”
–from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche
How true is that? Look inside, deep inside. Do you really unconditionally love yourself? (If I did I would have thrown out those cords that are about a size and a half smaller than I am right now, about two years ago–they are still in a box in a garage because one day I am bound and determined to wear them again)
Even within our own practice we tend to forget that we are perfect where we are– not where we are going.
Give yourself a hug and say I love you.
January 9, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I think loving yourself can be different things at different times–right now, maybe it’s letting yourself keep the cords in the garage, sort of baby steps on the way to that unconditional love?
January 9, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Those cords are neither too big nor too small. They are just sewn-together pieces of material. The human mind, however, may frequently be too big or too small, but rarely just right. Yet even that can be perfect!
Hugs and love all around!
January 9, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Learning to accept ourselves the way we are is the hardest thing. Then others “letting you” be the way we are is the next hardest thing. Perfection might just be acceptance?
January 9, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Laura–I agree. Baby steps. My mom always said that and you guys are right!
Barry–good way to look at it Barry. perfect in its imperfections?
Aggie–I was thinking that as I wrote it…once it seems you have accepted yourself, then others still may or may not, which really is of no consequence to our development, but can be difficult.
Peace to you all.
January 10, 2009 at 7:25 am
In reality there are no barriers, no good nor bad. And that’s why we should be compassionate and caring and loving; we should base our practice on that. Faith, faith, faith…
Thank you, Molly, great post!
Yours,
Uku
January 10, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Very good topic once again, Molly! The thing that fuels the samsara is this dissatisfaction with oneself. The desire to become better and better in their own terms..if for once, we all could stop and be satisfied where we are, world will be a whole different place. The dukka is not just suffering in terms of physical or emotional pain, it is the low lying, ever burning constant dissatisfaction.
January 11, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Uku–thanks for your wise and compassionate words.
Taru–”the low lying, ever burning constant dissatisfaction”–well put.
Thanks for your comments.
January 11, 2009 at 7:00 pm
One of the most powerful things I have ever heard was: “You are perfect and complete right now, just as you are.”
The man who said it did so with absolute conviction. And then he repeated it.
A whole roomful of people listening absolutely GLOWED afterward.
January 13, 2009 at 5:40 am
Thanks, Molly.
A nice reminder.
January 13, 2009 at 8:53 am
ZenSquared. Wow. I am writing that one down. I can feel the conviction in your message, and I need that right now.
Emily–you are most welcome.