Good Morning David! I appreciate how you come up with new ways to focus my attention, and motivate me to stay on the path. A simple idea of a piece of gold in my hand is a wonderful metaphor that I shall take with me. Thank you!!
I find the idea of "estimating” oneself in relation to others or against one’s own standards of measure an interesting and helpful way to release some of our affinity toward “building self-esteem.”
Thank you for expanding my thinking about self esteem and self confidence.
Therapeutic models may be what helps depending on the circumstances and the needs one has at the moment.
However, how grateful i feel to have an invitation to remember to dive more deeply.
Thank you.
Love the photos and seeing how we help you help others☮️
Thank you for your clear explanation of self-esteem and self-acceptance. As always, the reminder that we are extremely fortunate to be born as a human with awareness of the Dharma brings tears to my eyes.
This was a sweet read, thank you David…perhaps the humility that comes with self confidence frees us to ‘’stand behind ourselves’ , to observe ourselves, to see clearly what we’re truly made of….and to see our own light guided by the Love in our hearts grow brighter everyday…when we love ourselves, and are grateful for our own lives we are free to know greatness beyond ourselves…and in those moments we forget about ourselves and become oneness….and so, we “sparkle on…💕”
I so look forward to and enjoy my Saturday reads. Always so clearly put and explained, especially this week’s topic on self esteem and acceptance. I would love to have better understanding of what Buddha Nature is. Is it possible to put it into words or is it a concept, a knowing that we somehow come to experience, find and become aware of within ourselves? It does seem ineffable. 🙏🏻 again
Thanks David for a great interpretation of self-esteem and self confident.
We live in a society. It is hard to balance what you want and what a society what from you. If the goal is the same between you and people around you (in fact, most of time the goal is the same), then just be yourself. People who don’t understand you eventually will understand you and hopefully join you. By practice meditation you always find your compass in your life each day. That is why I never skip my morning meditation. I always find an answer at the end of meditation. Hope this make sense. :-)
You are absolutely right, Sharon, that meditation helps us let go of all the utterly pointless cognition in which we may otherwise engage, and be reminded of the panoramic truth about our reality.
Love the concept "tissue paper mind." Reinforces the reality of the impermanence of our thoughts. And how our thoughts create our reality. So appreciate the pictures you send of the groups we support. Together we can make a difference! The young boy with the peanut butter is priceless and poignant.
Wow! There's so much here to take in. With the clarity of your writing - of course, self acceptance! But how long, how much energy has been spent in my thinking toward self--esteem! And thinking and pondering the idea of living in self acceptance brings, for me, such a sense of serenity - so amazing. Thank you David!!
Thank you for your messages, Joel, and for sharing the views of other philosophies. From a Dharma perspective, actions deemed 'nasty' or non-virtuous, are the causes for a being to suffer, so must be let go of if we wish for inner peace.
I think there's a difference between liking ourselves (we always should) and liking what we've done (sometimes we shouldn't).
Mixing these two up makes it harder to like ourselves, because (we wrongly think) we also have to like everything we do. And it makes it harder to fix our mistakes, because (we wrongly think) we can't like ourselves if we are so flawed.
In a different context I just wrote about the ancient emphasis on recognizing, even embracing, our faults.
Plato, for example, says that “no one of repute believes that humans willingly err, nor that they willingly do shameful or bad things.” Yet it's easier to apply this adage to others than to ourselves.
Ovid’s Medea says: “I see a better course and approve, but I follow the worse course.” We all do. But again, we are often harder on ourselves than on others.
Confucius says: “A noble person’s mistake is like an eclipse of the sun or the moon. The mistake draws attention from everyone, correcting the mistake draws admiration from everyone.”
Hello, David. This is a beautiful and thoughtful post. I’m looking forward to your new books.
In August, you published a piece about how to help our pet to pass. Very soon if not a day, my 14 year old dog had a sudden seizure. Your post helped me and I like to think it helped my spaniel.
The photos this week are beautiful and fun. It is so nice to be in this community, helping in a small way and being with everyone.
Well David, it’s not only ROKPA that dishes out food. You have certainly given us a big mouthful to chew over this time! My mother used to quote a saying about if you had the choice of all the shoes in the world (as in walk a mile in someone else’s), so you could choose those of the most glamorous or richest, etc, it would not be long before you took them back and put your own back on. It is a beautiful day in Perth. I know you will enjoy it! Cheers
Good Morning David! I appreciate how you come up with new ways to focus my attention, and motivate me to stay on the path. A simple idea of a piece of gold in my hand is a wonderful metaphor that I shall take with me. Thank you!!
Warm regards,
Stacey
Many thanks Stacey. It is a beautiful metaphor!
It makes so much sense. Thank you David.
Glad this resonates, Janey! Looking forward to seeing you very soon!
I find the idea of "estimating” oneself in relation to others or against one’s own standards of measure an interesting and helpful way to release some of our affinity toward “building self-esteem.”
Thank you for expanding my thinking about self esteem and self confidence.
Therapeutic models may be what helps depending on the circumstances and the needs one has at the moment.
However, how grateful i feel to have an invitation to remember to dive more deeply.
Thank you.
Love the photos and seeing how we help you help others☮️
Thank you so very much for taking the time to share this with us, Linda!
Thank you for your clear explanation of self-esteem and self-acceptance. As always, the reminder that we are extremely fortunate to be born as a human with awareness of the Dharma brings tears to my eyes.
We are so fortunate, but we forget so much!
This was a sweet read, thank you David…perhaps the humility that comes with self confidence frees us to ‘’stand behind ourselves’ , to observe ourselves, to see clearly what we’re truly made of….and to see our own light guided by the Love in our hearts grow brighter everyday…when we love ourselves, and are grateful for our own lives we are free to know greatness beyond ourselves…and in those moments we forget about ourselves and become oneness….and so, we “sparkle on…💕”
Beautifully put, thank you Adrienne!
Gosh… spot on Adrienne!
I so look forward to and enjoy my Saturday reads. Always so clearly put and explained, especially this week’s topic on self esteem and acceptance. I would love to have better understanding of what Buddha Nature is. Is it possible to put it into words or is it a concept, a knowing that we somehow come to experience, find and become aware of within ourselves? It does seem ineffable. 🙏🏻 again
One post on Buddha nature coming up, thanks Pamela! I love this simple, self-evident and profoundly liberating aspect of the Dharma!
This post is so incredibly rich. I'm going to spend more time with it, contemplating the many points of view you offer. Thanks for the inspiration!
My heartfelt thanks, Cyndi! And thanks for all your own inspiration!
Thanks David for a great interpretation of self-esteem and self confident.
We live in a society. It is hard to balance what you want and what a society what from you. If the goal is the same between you and people around you (in fact, most of time the goal is the same), then just be yourself. People who don’t understand you eventually will understand you and hopefully join you. By practice meditation you always find your compass in your life each day. That is why I never skip my morning meditation. I always find an answer at the end of meditation. Hope this make sense. :-)
You are absolutely right, Sharon, that meditation helps us let go of all the utterly pointless cognition in which we may otherwise engage, and be reminded of the panoramic truth about our reality.
It is so true, not easy to balance what society and you want. Hope meditation and follow Buddha's path help us.
Thanks for sharing
Rossy Cortes
Mexico
Love the concept "tissue paper mind." Reinforces the reality of the impermanence of our thoughts. And how our thoughts create our reality. So appreciate the pictures you send of the groups we support. Together we can make a difference! The young boy with the peanut butter is priceless and poignant.
My heartfelt thanks for your kind response, Brenda!
Wow! There's so much here to take in. With the clarity of your writing - of course, self acceptance! But how long, how much energy has been spent in my thinking toward self--esteem! And thinking and pondering the idea of living in self acceptance brings, for me, such a sense of serenity - so amazing. Thank you David!!
So glad to have been able to pass on the wisdom of my own teachers, Charlene!
So here's a question: What about nasty people? Should they simply accept themselves? Or are some traits unacceptable?
Thank you for your messages, Joel, and for sharing the views of other philosophies. From a Dharma perspective, actions deemed 'nasty' or non-virtuous, are the causes for a being to suffer, so must be let go of if we wish for inner peace.
Very nice.
I think there's a difference between liking ourselves (we always should) and liking what we've done (sometimes we shouldn't).
Mixing these two up makes it harder to like ourselves, because (we wrongly think) we also have to like everything we do. And it makes it harder to fix our mistakes, because (we wrongly think) we can't like ourselves if we are so flawed.
In a different context I just wrote about the ancient emphasis on recognizing, even embracing, our faults.
Plato, for example, says that “no one of repute believes that humans willingly err, nor that they willingly do shameful or bad things.” Yet it's easier to apply this adage to others than to ourselves.
Ovid’s Medea says: “I see a better course and approve, but I follow the worse course.” We all do. But again, we are often harder on ourselves than on others.
Confucius says: “A noble person’s mistake is like an eclipse of the sun or the moon. The mistake draws attention from everyone, correcting the mistake draws admiration from everyone.”
https://ancientwisdommodernlives.com/p/ancient-tension-justice-mercy
Dearest David,
I also would go back to eighteen-year-old David and tell him that he has plenty of positive qualities, and he still is right now.
I think the idea of accepting ourselves just as we are is a perfect solution to low self-esteem and as you says it helps others to accept us.
Thanks so much for remind me that we are the possessors of Buddha nature and as such have the potential to become fully enlightened beings.
Thanks again Dear David this has been a great email. I keep reading myself several times.
Rossy Cortes
Greetings from Mexico
PS Sharing the ROKPA potos give us an idea of the idea of sharing compassion. Thanks so much!
Hello, David. This is a beautiful and thoughtful post. I’m looking forward to your new books.
In August, you published a piece about how to help our pet to pass. Very soon if not a day, my 14 year old dog had a sudden seizure. Your post helped me and I like to think it helped my spaniel.
The photos this week are beautiful and fun. It is so nice to be in this community, helping in a small way and being with everyone.
Good day David, I found your article very helpful. Self acceptance, brings me a sigh of relief
Self esteem is hard for a Catholic brought up on original sin……….. And the next step is for me to see myself as a piece of gold in my hand.
Thankyou
Pauline
Well David, it’s not only ROKPA that dishes out food. You have certainly given us a big mouthful to chew over this time! My mother used to quote a saying about if you had the choice of all the shoes in the world (as in walk a mile in someone else’s), so you could choose those of the most glamorous or richest, etc, it would not be long before you took them back and put your own back on. It is a beautiful day in Perth. I know you will enjoy it! Cheers