Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than for July 31, 2023

Transcript:

Throughout life, from childhood, from school until we die, we are taught to compare ourselves with another. SELF-WORTH Yet when I compare myself with another I AM DESTROYING MYSELF. Walking Walking Walking Not Walking SELF-WORTH In an ordinary school where there are a lot of boys, when one boy is compared to another who is very clever, who is the head of the class, WHAT IS ACTUALLY TAKING PLACE? Smartest Brightest Strongest You are DESTROYING the boy. SELF-WORTH That's what we are doing THROUGHOUT LIFE. Intelligent Doctor Rich Mercedes Respected Rolex Successful Funny BMW x2 Holiday House Cute Kids Popular Facial Hair Athletic Muscles Tall Pretty Wife Confident SELF-WORTH Now, can I live without comparison with anybody? This means there is no high, no low. There is not the one who is superior and the other who is inferior. Intelligence Appearance Humor Fitness Wealth Ranking: SUPERIOR Intelligence Appearance Humor Fitness Wealth Ranking: INFERIOR You are actually what you are and to understand what you are, this process of comparison must come to an end. IRRELEVANT Intelligence Appearance Humor Fitness Wealth Ranking: INVERIOR If I am always comparing myself with some saint or some teacher, some businessman, writer, poet and all the rest, what has happened to me… …what have I done? SAINT Spiritual TEACHER Altruistic BUSINESSMAN Ambitious WRITER Intelligent POET Creative Me ? MERCEDES MUSCLES ROLEX HOLIDAY HOUSE PRETTY WIFE CUTE KIDS POPULAR FUNNY I only compare in order to GAIN, in order to AHCIEVE, in order to BECOME. But when I don’t compare I am beginning to understand what I am. Beginning to understand what I am is far more fascinating, fare more interesting. It goes beyond all this stupid comparison. Self Knowledge Meditation Observation Compassion Personal Liberation To understand yourself is the beginning of wisdom. - Jiddu Krishnamurti SELF-WORTH