Trying to change the world without changing our mind is like trying to clean the dirty face we see in the mirror by scrubbing the glass. However vigorously we clean it, our reflection will not improve. Only by washing our own face and combing our own unkempt hair can we alter the image. Similarly, if we want to help create conditions that foster peace and well-being in the world, we first need to reflect these qualities ourselves.
–Lama Shenpen Drolma, from Change of Heart: The Bodhisattva Peace Training of Chagdud Tulku
Great quote. It’s never quite that easy and the metaphor’s a bit awkward for me, but it’s still a great quote to meditate on. Thanks.
yeah, if it were easy it wouldn’t be profound…
Again… another gem.
The hard part, for me, is actually making the change in yourself in order to reflect the qualities.