James: Looks like Lisa needs to meditate more, but don't we all!! Hehe. Actually, despite the serene nature that the media paints Buddhism to be, we do get angry sometimes too. Just because we dedicate our lives to over coming such impulses--we're not perfect. Perfectionism is a sure way to burn out on your practice. As one fellow blogger put it, "We can both accept ourselves and want to change." When ever I find myself being self-critical of my practice I ask myself, "Would you be this critical toward someone else in your position?" And, invariably my answer is, "No, of course not."
So, we need to be more loving toward ourselves as much as toward others. It seems that sometimes it's easier to love others than ourselves. In the end, I see perfectionism as forgetting the Buddha's teaching of the middle-path. If we expect ourselves to be "perfect" in our practice then we're leaning too far toward aestheticism because perfectionism, like aestheticism, is unforgiving, not so compassionate and demands too much.
That's a really good thing you say.."...When ever I find myself being self-critical of my practice I ask myself, "Would you be this critical toward someone else in your position?" And, invariably my answer is, "No, of course not."
What a lovely phrase that is. I remember when I belonged to a Buddhist Group it was so heavy with its admonishments that we be so perfect etc. I felt a freak as I know I am a long way away from that. Then at a committee meeting of this same group (a branch I guess you would call it of a well known American Zen Organisation) I heard the bickering and shortness of tempers and I thought what the heck? I thought these people were supposed to be trying to embody perfection? What gives? That made me wonder what is there to Zen, I had always thought that if one were to achieve enlightenment then that would free you from these petty worldly games and ego driven activities. Some of the people there I have no doubt are enlightened. Anyway your comment that I have quoted at the beginning of my post is a nice and more realistic way of viewing things. Peace.
A Zen Buddhist who follows in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh but I enjoy teachings from all Buddhist traditions. In addition, I am influenced by Taoism and Secular Humanism. I am also a nature lover and live with Schizo-Affective Disorder. The blog is titled, "The Buddhist Blog" because it was all that I could think of for a name. It does not mean that somehow I think my blog is the definitive blog on Buddhism. It is not. It is one traveler's footprints and nothing more. I am not a Buddhist teacher. This blog is a journal of my humble travels as I try to follow the middle path of Buddhism. Take my hand and walk with me for awhile. I have a university degree in U.S. History with a special emphasis in African history. As well as a minor in World Geography.
Contact me: jaymur@gmail.com
5 comments:
I feel like Lisa today! I wanna frigin kick something. I would be much better if I would simply sit. I'll go sit... Thanks!!! Humor helps.
Thanks for your words. Sometimes I expect progress, maybe too much. But we should be kind to ourselves first of all.
hello.
That's a really good thing you say.."...When ever I find myself being self-critical of my practice I ask myself, "Would you be this critical toward someone else in your position?" And, invariably my answer is, "No, of course not."
What a lovely phrase that is. I remember when I belonged to a Buddhist Group it was so heavy with its admonishments that we be so perfect etc. I felt a freak as I know I am a long way away from that. Then at a committee meeting of this same group (a branch I guess you would call it of a well known American Zen Organisation) I heard the bickering and shortness of tempers and I thought what the heck? I thought these people were supposed to be trying to embody perfection? What gives? That made me wonder what is there to Zen, I had always thought that if one were to achieve enlightenment then that would free you from these petty worldly games and ego driven activities. Some of the people there I have no doubt are enlightened. Anyway your comment that I have quoted at the beginning of my post is a nice and more realistic way of viewing things. Peace.
"Would you be this critical toward someone else in your position?" And, invariably my answer is, "No, of course not."
How simple, how wise, how kind!
Here's how Robert Burns put it.
"O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us.
Robert Burns, Poem "To a Louse" - verse 8
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