Daily Dharma, June 30th, 2009 June 30, 2009
Posted by Philip Ryan in : Daily Dharma , trackbackOpen Yourself to Yourself
When you don’t punish or condemn yourself, when you relax more and
appreciate your body and mind, you begin to contact the fundamental
notion of basic goodness in yourself. So it is extremely important to
be willing to open yourself to yourself. Developing tenderness toward
yourself allows you to see both your problems and your potential
accurately. You don’t feel that you have to ignore your problems or
exaggerate your potential. That kind of gentleness toward yourself and
appreciation of yourself is very necessary. It provides the ground for
helping yourself and others.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, The Sanity We Are Born With (Shambhala Publications)
Comments»
It was easy to stop with the self-loathing when I finally accepted who and what was. I am a spiritual being having a human experience, not the other way around. As a spiritual being it is important to see myself in my minds eye without the limitations of physical reality. To do so put me in a state of mental and emotional detachment, which is essential to identifying with my true nature, or the spiritual being that rests within. The constant practice of visualization was key in creating a strong connection between my inner and outer world. Now I know why I have limitations in physical reality and I embrace them. They are there to protect me, to help better serve others, to allow my true-self to work through me without getting in spirits way.
“Sitting quietly, doing nothing.
Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.”
~ Zenrin Kyushu
In Gassho,
Rev. Daito Zenei Thompson sensei
I have been unable to stop the self loathing. Intellectually I understand the concept, but emotionally I can’t break the habit. Yet, I trudge on knowing that when the conditions are right I will let go of this ego attachment and finally be free.