A Useful View of “Independence”

ByMatthew

A great rock is not disturbed by the wind; the mind of a wise man is not disturbed by either honor or abuse. – Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama)

I heard someone say that one of the hallmarks of a good life is to be immune from both the good and bad opinion of others.

The ol’ Dalai Lama knows this too.

It’s easy enough to say “Yeah, I don’t worry about the negative things people say about me. I know who Iam.”

Having it be true is another thing entirely.

It’s just as problematic, I believe, to only be concerned with the bad things people say. In that pursuing the approbation of others takes us just as swiftly and surely from our well-being as anything.

The cure is to remember – and know – that at our core we are goodness and well-being. The only reference point we need is the barometer of our soul.

Whether we chase after complements, or avoid criticism, we’re still running. We’re running from ourselves towards something, that while it may feel real, is false.

Practice being still and calm and listen for the still, silent voice within. It is the voice of truth.

Similar Posts

  • Our True Nature

    ByMatthew

    For 99% of us, 99% of the time (and these percentages might be low… ), our true nature is wellness and wholeness. Whenever we are not feeling that, we have “distracted” or “diverted” ourselves from this place of calm, wise knowing and perfect health.* One of the master skills of living is to notice any…

  • Another View of Courage

    ByMatthew

    Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ – Mary Anne Radmacher Sure, Hollywood wants us to believe that courage is primarily the domain of the well-muscled action hero, but real courage is more like the everyday person who makes a…

  • The Scourge of Stuff

    ByMatthew

    I also have in mind that seemingly wealthy, but most terribly impoverished class of all, who have accumulated dross, but know not how to use it, or get rid of it, and thus have forged their own golden or silver fetters. – Henry David Thoreau The curse of stuff, of (unrealized) abundance. It’s as if we’re…

  • What You CAN Do

    ByMatthew

    You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. You don’t have charge of the constellations, but you do have charge of whether you read, develop new skills, or take new classes. – Jim Rohn You can…

  • Above All, Be Well.

    ByMatthew

    The First wealth is health. – Emerson Without your health you cannot serve. If you cannot serve you cannot deliver value. If you cannot deliver value you cannot earn rewards. Thus to earn anything – money, friendship, reciprocation, anything – you must focus on, and continually attend to, your health. Your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health….