In Eight Steps to Happiness Geshe-la says "'Self' and 'other' are relative terms, rather like 'this mountain' and 'that mountain ... 'This' and 'that' therefore depend upon our point of reference. This is also true of self and other. By climbing down the mountain of self, it is possible to ascend the mountain of other, and thereby cherish others as much as we presently cherish ourself."

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Doing the Opposite

Here's a wisdom nugget for opposing your self-cherishing from Gen Zopa of Victoria, via Gen Chöma, from last weekend's wonderful Post Fall Festival Retreat in Seattle she led: Whatever you want to do, do the opposite. Occasionally what you want to do and what is good for you will coincide, but usually this is challenging. I've been trying it out, and it's a good way for me to see my selfishness in action.
To lighten it a bit, here's a joke: During a retreat break, I wandered into the kitchen where some kind-hearted Sangha were making coffee. What's the opposite of the coffee you want? Um ... decaf??

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