According to Pema Chödrön, we might think that knowing ourselves is a very ego-centered thing, but by beginning to look clearly and honestly at ourselves, we begin to dissolve the walls that separate us from others. The journey of awakening happens just at the place where we can't get comfortable. Opening to discomfort is the basis of transmuting our so-called "negative" feelings. We somehow want to get rid of our uncomfortable feelings either by justifying them or by squelching them, but it turns out that this is like throwing the baby out with the bath water. According to the teachings of vajrayana, or tantric, Buddhism, our wisdom and our confusion are so interwoven that it doesn't work to just throw things out. By trying to get rid of "negativity," by trying to eradicate it, by putting it into a column labelled "bad," we are throwing away our wisdom as well, because everything in us is creative energy—particularly our strong emotions. They...
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My little girl is 3 now, she is a hand full but I love her to bits!
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Great comment by the way on my post about anger, punishment and compassion. This is my reply:
Tim:
Yes, compassion and love are the greatest lessons that we can learn I believe.
When I "feel" that I have "fallen short" of my expectations, which are always too high, meditation allows me to be compassionate with myself.
Because, "WE DO NOT NEED PUNISHMENT, WE NEED HELP."
I love the way that you said this. I often forget to be compassionate with myself. Meditation is a beautiful, grounding time to extend loving energy toward ourselves. It is the time to do "surgery" and come back to the moment of pure being. Medicine to relieve our suffering.
I am going to emphasize that more in my practice. Thank-you for the reminder friend. You are a great teacher. I am thankful for your presence and for getting to know you. :)
(bows)