AN O P E N H E A RT ()ften leads [ 0 negative consequences. ー{0 、 lt very lmportant for us tO have a broader perspective. We must C01 e to realize that others are also part of our society. ・ can think Of our society as a bOdy, with arms and legs as parts Of it. Of course, the arm is different from the leg; however, if something happens to the ot , the hand should reach down to help. Similarly, when some- thing is wrong within our society, ℃ must help. Why? Because it is part ofthe body, it is part ofus. ・ must alSO care for our envrronment. is our home, our only home! lt is true that 、 hear scientists talk ofthe possibility ofsettling on Mars or the moon. lfwe are able to do so in a feasible, comfortable way, good; but somehow I think it might be difficult. We would need a 10t of equipment simply to breathe there. I think our blue planet is very beautiful and dear to us. If we destroy it or if some terrible damage occurs because Of our negligence, 、、 M()LII(I 、 go? SO, taking care Of our envlronment IS ln our O 、 lnterest. Developing a broader vie 、 0f our situation and expand- lng our a 、 themselves can bring about a change in our homes. Sometimes, due tO a very small matter, a fight starts between a husband and wife, or between a parent and 12

ー N T RO D U C T ー O N opportunity tO exerCISe our sense Of concern, Of caring and compassion. However, I often tell people, "My compassion is just empty words. The late Mother Teresa really imple- mented compassion!" Somet1mes 、 people in unfortunate sItuat10ns. When I travelthrough lndia by train, I see poor people and beggars in the statlons. I see people ignore them and even bully them. Tears sometimes C01 e to m メ eyes.What to do? I think that we should all develop the right kind of attitude When 、 come across such unfortunate S1tuatlOns. I alSO feel that t00 much attachment is not good. Some- times I find that 1 れ y Western friends consider attachment tO be something very lmportant. lt is as if without attach- ment their lives would be colorless. I think we have to make a distinction bet 、 negative desire, or attachment, and the positive quality Of love that wishes another person S happiness. Attachment iS biased. lt narro 、 our minds SO that 、 cannot clearly see the reality Of a situation, eventu- ally bringing us unnecessary problems. Like the negative emotrons Of anger and hatred, attachment iS destructive. ・ should try to malntain a greater sense 0f equanimity.. This doesn't mean that we should have no feelings and be totally indifferent. We can recognize that one thing is good 2 3

A N O P E N H E A RT ln ancient lndia many Hindu philosophers speculated thatthis self was independent of a person s mind and body. They felt that there had to be an entity that could provide continuity among the differentstages ofself, such as the self "when I was young or "when I get old" and even the "me in a past 1 飛 and the "me in a futurelife. 引 1 these differ- ent selves are transrent and impermanent, lt 、 felt that there had to be some unitary and permanent self that pos- sessed these different stages 0 日飛 . This was the basis for positing a self that would be distinct from mind and body. They called this atman. Actually, we all hold such a notion of self. lfwe examine hO 、 we perceive thiS sense Of self, 、 consider it the core Of our being. We don't experience lt as some composlte Of arms, legs, head, and torso, but rather we think of it as the master of these parts. For example, I don't think of my arm as me, I think of it as my arm; and I think of my mind in the same way, as belonging tO me. ・々 come tO recogmze that 、 believe ln a self-sufficient and independent "me at the core Of our being, possessing the parts that make us up. What is wrong 、 Mith this belief? HO 、 can such an un- changing, eternal, and unitary self that is independent 0f 1 5 0

A N O P E N H E A RT pride or self-confidence. This is also part of training the mind. ln my own practice, when I have an arrogant feeling, "Oh, l'm somehow special," I say to myself. "lt is true that l'm a human being and a Buddhist monk. I thereby have a great opportunity to practice the spiritual path leading t0 Buddha- hood. " I then compare myselfto a small insect in front ofme and think,"This little insect is very weak, with no capacity to think about philosophical matters. lt has no ability to develop altruism. ln spite ofthe opportunity I have, I behave in this stupid way" If I judge myselffrom this point ofview, the insect is definitely more honest and sincere than I am. Sometimes, 、 Mhen I meet someone and feel that I am a little better than this person, 1100k for some positive quality of the person. He may have nice hair. I then think, "I am now bald, so 伝 om this point ofview the person is much bet- ter than I am!" み can always find some quality in someone else where we are outshone. This mental habit helps in countering our pride or arrogance. Sometimes 、 ve feel hopeless; 、 become demoralized, thinking that 、 are unable tO dO something. ln such situa- tions we should recall the opportunity and potential we have tO be successful.

C O M PA S 引 O N end up meditating on compassion toward all in a very gen- eral sense, 、 Mith no specific fOCLIS or PO 、 tO our medita- tion. Then, when we actually relate this kind of meditation tO specific individuals we are not fond Of, we might even think,"Oh, he is an exception ・ 9 7

A N O P E N H E A RT SELF AND AFFLICTIONS If emot1011S, our experiences Of PO 、 attachment or hostility, 、 find that at their root is an ln- tense clinging tO a concept Of self. Such a selfwe assume tO be independent and self-sufficient, with a solid reality• As our belief in this kind Ofself intensifies, SO does our wish tO satisfy and protect it. Let me give you an example. When メ ou see a beautiful 、 Match in a shop, you are naturally attracted tO it. If the salesperson were to drop the watch, you would think' "Oh dear, the watch has fallen. " The impact this would have on you would not be very great. 圧 however, メ ou bought the watch and have C01 れ e tO think Of it as my watch," then, were you to drop it, the impact would be devastating. You would feel as ifyour heart were Jumping out ofyou. Where does thiS PO 、 Merful feeling come 0n1 ~ arlses out Ofour sense ofself. The stronger our sense Of e , " the stronger IS our sense Of "mine. " iS 、 it is SO lmpor- tant that 、 work at undercutting our belief in an inde- pendent, self-sufficient self. Once 、 are able tO question 1 5 2

KARMA not have tO better our state in li , will depend on our karma in this life, our present acts. Though our current S1t- uation has been determined by past behavior, 、 ve do remarn responsible for our present actions. We have the ability and the responsibility tO choose tO direct a vrr- tuous path. When 、、 a particular act, to determrne 、 vhether it moral or spiritual, our criterion should be the quality of our motivation. When someone deliberately makes a reso- lution not to steal, if he or she is simply motivated by the fear of getting caught and being punished by the law, it is doubtful 、 Mhether engaging in that resolution is a moral act, S1nce moral considerations have not dictated hiS or her choice. ln another instance, the resolution not tO steal may be motivated by fear of public opinion: "What would my friends and neighbors think? 用 1 would scorn me. I would become an outcast. '' Though the act of making the resolu- t10n may be positlve, 、 Mhether it IS a 1 れ oral act is agaln doubtful. Now, the same resolution may be taken with the thought "lfl steal, I am acting against the divine law of God. '' Some- one else may think, "Stealing is nonvirtuous; it causes Others 6 9

ー N T RO D U C T ー O N problems. Then your neighbor is really happy. Without having inflicted any physical harm, he has fulfilled his 圧 in spite of his i 可 ustices, you remain calm, happy, and peaceful, your health remains strong, you contlnue tO be joyful and more friends come visit you. Your li becomes more successful. This really brings about worry in your neighbor's mind. I think that this is the wise way to inflict harm upon your neighbor. I do not mean this as a joke. I have a certaln amount Of experience here. ln spite Of some very unfortunate C1rcumstances, I usually remain calm, with a settled peace of mind. I think this is very useful. You must not consider tolerance and patience tO be signs Of weakness. I consider them signs Of strength. When Ⅵ℃ are faced 、 an enemy, a person or group 0f people wishing us harm, 、 can view this as an opportunity [ 0 develop patience and tolerance. ・み need these qualities; they are useful [ 0 us. And the only occasion we have to develop them is when we are challenged by an enemy. SO, 01 れ thiS POint OfVie 、 v, our enemy iS our guru, our teacher. lrrespectlve Of their motivation, Ⅱ our point Of Vie 、 enemles are very beneficial' a blessing. 2 1

A N O P E N H E A RT of purpose. This, I believe, is the basis of a healthier, more useful, and productive energy. If someone treats us unjustly, 、 must first analyze the situation. If 、 ve feel 、 can bear the iryustice, if the negative consequences Of dOing SO are not tOO great, then I think it best tO accept it. However, if in our judgment, reached 、 vith clarity and a 、 Mareness, we are led tO the conclusion that acceptance 、 bring greater negative consequences, then 、 must take the appropriate countermeasures. ThiS con- clusion should be reached on the basis of clear awareness of the situation and not as a result Of anger. I think that anger and hatred actually cause more harm [ 0 us than tO the per- son responsible for our problem. lmagine that your neighbor hates you and is always creating problems for you. If you lose your temper and develop hatred toward him, your digestion is harmed, your sound sleep goes, and you have tO start tO use tran- quilizers and sleeping pills. You then have to rncrease the dosages of these, which harms your body. Your mood is affected; as a result, your 01d friends hesitate tO visit you. You gradually get more white hair and wrinkles, and you may eventually develop more serious health 2 0

A N O P E N H EA RT that it is important for us tO be a 、 vare Of our potential and let this inspire our self-confidence. Sometimes 、 ve look at the negative side of things and then feel hopeless. This, I think, iS a wrong V1e 、 h.,r,. I have miracle tO Offer you. lfsomeone has mrraculous powers, then I shall seek this person's help. Frankly, I am skeptical of those who claim extraordinary powers. How- ever, through training our minds, with constant effort, 、 can change our mental perceptions or mental attitudes. ThiS can make a real difference ln our lives. If 、 have a positive mental attitude, then even 、 Mhen surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace. On the Other hand, if our mental attitude is more negative, influenced by fear, suspicion, helplessness, or self-loathing, then even 、 surrounded our best friends, in a atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, we shall not be happy. SO, mental attitude is very important: it makes a real difference tO our state ofhappiness. I think that it is wrong to expect that our problems can be solved by money or material benefit. lt is unrealistic tO believe that something positive can C01 れ e about merely 伝 om something external. Of course, our material situatlon 6