Often, we cannot
look at ourselves, because it is too painful to do so, or because we
are unceasingly judging ourselves. Rather than saying, "I cannot
accept that", or denying the situation in which we find ourselves, we
really need to look and see, to be aware of what is happening.
Be aware
Being able to see or be
aware of our emotions does not mean that we will be able to live the
emotions in a right way from day to day. We should not expect
immediate result, neither should we make the mistake of thinking like
this : "I am jealous, I know it well, and I will never be any good !"
It is not a question of culpability by admitting that we are bad.
Guilt or culpability has no place in consciousness or in vigilance.
Rather, it is a question of seeing who we are and what is right. If we
are aware, our thinking becomes clearer, then it is possible to see
the emotions in the instant they arise. As a result, our mind will be
increasingly free. We release the mind of any obstacles. This fruit or
result will not come up directly because we cannot liberate ourselves
immediately of all obstacles. Just because we have resolved to see the
emotions does not mean that we can see them. Nevertheless, little by
little, we will come to recognize the true balance that is within us.
We will recognize who we really are. We will in turn realize that
others are in the same situation as we are, that they have the same
emotions and experience the same confusion.
Take the example of a baby
who suddenly cries because we have left him on his own. We are not
angry about it. We might be a little irritated, but no hatred is aimed
towards the baby. We excuse the baby for crying because he is too
young to understand.
On the other hand, when
faced with an adult with the same reaction, immediately we would form
an opinion about him. We will directly reduce him to our vision of
things and our perception. If only we can get pass our subjectivity,
if only we can manage to be more and more aware of what is happening
within ourselves, then, instead of seeing the defects of others, we
will pacify our own minds. We will be much more at ease and peaceful.
Given any situation, we experience it not from the point of view of
the defects of others, but from the perspective of seeking a possible
solution that is positive. Instead of being judgmental, we think: "How
can I help him find a solution to the situation that is positive both
for him and for me?" Gradually, we will soften from within - from the
harshness of the ego we arrive at the softness of compassion.
L a m a . J i g m e . R i n p o c
h e
