My Social Mask

I've come to see that my image is different for each person I meet (including myself) and even for each person my image may change based on my attitudes or any other person's attitudes in any given moment.

An image is inherently one-dimensional. It is our social mask; it isn't real. As I start my morning meditation I say, "Please let me focus on the divinity in others rather than their image. And help me to not get caught up in times when people focus on my image rather than my divinity."

Two Sides of All Things

The Ying-Yang reminds us that there is positive and negative in every moment. Our life is defined by where we place our focus. My inclination is always to go to the negative – it seems more natural and appropriate. However, the rewards of focusing on the positive are much greater.

Quote: Approaching "Problems"

Leave the mind in its natural, undisturbed state. Don't follow thoughts of "This is a problem, that is a problem!" Without labeling difficulties as problems, leave your mind in its natural state. In this way, you will stop seeing miserable conditions as problems.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Transforming Problems Into Happiness