NEW MOON - Harmony

Like the bamboo which destroys itself as it bears fruit, 
so fools harm themselves by holding to wrong views 
and deriding those worthy ones 
who live in harmony with the Way. 

Dhammapada v. 164

It is easy to criticise weakness in others. It is hard to recognise and remedy faults within ourselves. On some level it can even feel good to elevate ourselves as we put others down, but such feelings cannot be trusted. ’One-upmanship’ is unlikely to contribute to harmony. Of course there are times when criticism is called for, but for it to be constructive we must have wholesome intention. To accurately know our intention means we probably should slow down a little, wait and listen inwardly before we speak.

With Metta,
Bhikkhu Munindo