Buddhist practice of Maitri
“When people start to meditate or to work with any kind of spiritual discipline, they often think that somehow they’re going to improve, which is a sort of subtle aggression against who they really are. It’s a bit like saying, “If I jog, I’ll be a much better person.” “If I could only get a nicer house, I’d be a better person.” If I could meditate and calm down, I’d be a better person.”… But loving-kindness–maitri–toward ourselves doesn’t mean getting rid of anything. Maitri means that we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That’s the ground, that’s what we study, that’s what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest.”
~ Pema Chodron, on the Buddhist practice of maitri… ~
I had never heard of Maitri until a few moments ago. I met a woman with this as her name and she has a beautiful blog called Magic and Moments at the Dragonfly Cottage She is a fiber artist and animal rescuer with a beautiful soul!
I was so happy to read the quotation above. Even though I write ecourses that I label as "self improvement" and often talk about "progress" there has been something in me all along that didn’t feel comfortable with this idea. I have never been able to put my feelings into words. But this says perfectly how I believe it should be. We should embrace ourselves JUST as we are, first and foremost!!! That is far more important than "improvement". However, many of us are dissatisfied with things in our life, and we can change those things if we want to. Having the knowledge of that power is important, lest we accept a victim stance in life.
Please print out that quotation and put it some place where you can see it often. And make it a priority in your life to accept yourself. Truly accept. Love yourself unconditionally. And if you keep hearing that critical voice, find a partner that will join you in the acceptance. Help and encourage each other to accept yourselves.
That is my wish for every, single, breathing human being on earth!
Sincere thanks to Maitri for introducing me to this thought!
Filed under: Art, Reflection
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That quotation is just what I needed to hear today. I’ve been beating myself up for weeks, debating going on anti-depressants, wondering why I feel so crappy and tired, hating the shape my body is in, just overwhelmed in general! Thank you so much for posting that, what a breath of fresh air. I’m working on a video for you as we speak, well, type…
Holly,
This makes me so glad that this helped you feel better about yourself. I don’t like it when people I love get beat up. You are so awesome and groovy and wonderful. I want you to know that and never doubt how beautiful you are, girl. Can’t wait to see the video!