Cherishing Others Over Self.
learn to cherish people of unpleasant character and see them as your teacher…. #WednesdayWisdom

Inspired by and created from: ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind’ by Geshe Langri Tanpa (1054–1123)
- You will not find peace in blaming others. We think our discontent is caused by others and the external world when it is our own wrong thinking, views and opinions which really cause us mental disturbance and suffering.
- When we see others as our teachers, especially the most challenging ones, we will realise that everyone has something to teach us and we can learn from them. Always ask yourself: ‘ why has this person come on my path?’
- Hard though it may be to understand, recognise that everyone you come into contact with may at one time have been your mother. How would you treat your own mother? With love and respect, hopefully, therefore we should treat all people we meet in the same way, as if they are our mother.
- Our biases and preferences lead us to want people to be and act in a certain way, one which pleases us, but this is not possible. None of us can be the same all the time. Everything in the world is constantly changing and this includes people.
When we understand correctly, we practice equanimity by seeking ways to increase our own and others’ wellbeing. Here are two more verses for reflection:
Whenever I meet people of unpleasant character
Or those overwhelmed by negativity, pain or suffering
May I cherish and care for them as if I had found
A rare and precious treasure difficult to find
.…oOo….
When someone whom I have benefited
Or in whom I have placed great trust and hope
Harms me or treats me in hurtful ways without reason
May I see that person as my precious teacher
May this teaching lead you to happiness; may it help you grow in truth. May you be freed from the suffering of birth and death.

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