Being spontaneous in helping others is also wonderful. Not everything is logical. Just do it from the heart. You can only respect differences in others when you truly respect yourself. Respecting other races, cultures or traditions is natural when you realize we share the same home: EARTH.Being prejudice against another because of their skin color shows clearly you don't understand that beneath it all, we are the same. It is more natural to accept differences in people than to make them just like you.
I may have confidence & like who I am, but it doesn't mean EVERYONE has to be like me. Accepting differences in others IS A SIGN OF CONFIDENCE. If you choose the God theory, then acceptance of differences in others is accepting God. If you choose the karma theory, then acceptance of differences in others is accepting Karma.
Accepting difference in skin color, cultures, & the unique identity of all peoples of this earth is the thought of 'enlightened' mind. I grew up Asian in the US. I was made fun of when I was growing up. I realized I had to accept I am Asian, and then others accepted me.
I'm sorry that I don't look , talk, and act like you. But I have no choice but TO BE ME. I didn't start out life trying to be different. I just am. I tried to be like you, but I couldn't because I'm not. I have to be me. If being me offends you, then you have to find yourself first before you can accept me.
Sometimes it's hard being who you are because the majority of the people where you live are different. But you just have to be you anyways. If being me offends you, maybe I'm not the problem. If I can't be you, it doesn't mean you are not good, it just means I am not you. Being comfortable with yourself takes courage. It's worth it. Being someone else who you are not, is a sign of cowardice. Cowardice means you have fears. Address your fears now. Don't let it stay.
Paradise can be found quite fast if you change your perspective. If we keep thinking earth is just a stopping point to something better, we'll keep destroying our planet. Change the attitude. I traveled around the world to find myself. I wish I knew earlier that it was just looking within me. Would have saved a lot of money. The first time I was told I look good, I was like really? I realize now, I didn't accept me that time.
I'm 'sorry' I'm not you. It's not like I had a choice. I'm sorry you are not like me, you didn't have a choice either. Why do you criticize me that I'm not you? I can do the same... but I chose to accept myself instead. The peace you feel when you can just be you, makes you regret all the stress you endured for years trying to be something else you are not. All the chanting to Buddhas for years can't help you accept you. You just have to realize it's the results of your karma. ACCEPT IT TO MOVE ON.
The best way to impress someone is to just be yourself. The best friends you can have are people that you can be yourself with. Other than that their just acquaintances. Putting all your energy into being a projection is like a movie. It has to end. So just be yourself & better.
When people criticize you for being different, it's because they dare not be themselves. Forgive those that criticize you because you are not the problem. They can't accept themselves and they are suffering. The thing me & Madonna have in common is that we both perform. Be yourself. The thing I don't have in common with Dalai Lama is He is enlightened. But I'll get there.
"What I admired so much about Mother Teresa is that she saw God in everyone. God was HERE not in the far distant milky way." ~Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Sometimes being ourselves we need a little help at first, but once we get started, it's addictive!! I like the attitude I have now at 44 then when I was 24. I'm so much more comfortable with myself. Thanks to this thing called experience.
The big difference between Mother Teresa & myself is she loved herself & everyone, I just love myself. Oops!
I told my shrink that Madonna's not calling me for her next video because she knows I sing better. LOL! My shrink told me that being cynical was a natural process of growing. My guru told me that it was wrong projections. Pick? Ok guru.
I woke up this morning & said to myself in the mirror, I AM REALLY GOING TO LIKE YOU TODAY, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY. I've stopped trying to convince the world how good I am. I am convincing myself now because when I'm convinced, the world will follow.
Meditation isn't some weird eastern trip. It's just being quiet with yourself & convincing yourself you can be much more because you have worth. Really!
I met H.H. Dalai Lama many times. He kept laughing. I know he wasn't laughing at me because I like myself. LOL! Since young, I've always had a picture of Dalai Lama on my shrine. No one told me to, I just did it. I guess I was attracted to compassion.
Being yourself is one step closer to the actual real enlightenment of a Buddha. So go for it! I've been told I wouldn't be good at what I do, and I believed it. But I decided not to follow a lie. So I continued teaching. I KNOW I can't teach or be like the Dalai Lama, but I know that if I do my best, it would be just good enough. So here I am.
If I could shake Mother Teresa hands, I don't know if I would faint first or shake her hand then faint. Every time I read, hear or contemplate on Mother Teresa's life & works for the last 25 year of my life, I have to control the tears. Every time I looked in the mirror for the last 25 years, I have to control the tears. It's better now. I started to like myself. LOL!
Being humble & accepting that you are not enlightened is not a put down or that you can't be. It's just being honest for who you are AT THE MOMENT. Who I am at the moment may not be as good as the next guy, but it's all impermanent. Accept the truth, rejoice for the next guy, work hard!
The higher your attainments according to tantra, the more humble you become. The more powerful your attainments, the less you need to show or use it unnecessarily. The more advanced your attainments are, the stronger your concern for others will naturally arise.
How do you check if your practice, meditation & contemplations are bearing fruits? You check how much you think of others & ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING. If your actions for others are pervading more of your time than for yourself without agenda, then your spirituality is growing & going right. Mantras compliment your spirituality not replace it. True spirituality is nothing but doing more and more for others irregardless. No matter how much you do for others, & they don't reciprocate is a true test of WHY YOU ARE HELPING OTHERS. True spirituality expects no thanks.
Being depressed because you helped them & they didn't appreciate you means, you weren't doing anything for them, it was for yourself. Wrong thinking. Gratitude is not to be a reward for helping others. The biggest reward is that you feel self worth & giving your life great purpose. Working for others, you should never expect thanks. You should thank others for giving you a chance to serve. Buddha & Jesus never expected thanks! When Jesus died on cross or Buddha taught tirelessly for over 40 years, did they expect a word of thanks?? NO! Because they didn't do it for them.
Aspiring to be someone like Mother Teresa or Dalai Lama isn't far fetched, in fact it is fuel for the soul. When you believe in Buddha truly, it just means you also believe in your true potential. Then taking refuge takes on positive dimensions.
When I met H.H. Dalai Lama in the US. I asked Him to ordain me. He said "ok!" So I went to India He did it! I've been ordained since 1987 & NO REGRETS! When I was ordained, it took three hours of sitting meditation style, when I got up, legs were numb. H.H. Dalai Lama who ordained me, couldn't stop laughing. I was ordained by H.H. Dalai Lama in Dharamsala December 1987. It's a day I'll treasure by keeping my vows & serving others. I love H.H. Dalai Lama!
~recent tweets from Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
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