In life and in meditation,
We are encouraged to accept ourselves the way we are.
At the same time,
We are better able to help the world and to remove our own suffering if we improve ourselves.
How do I resolve this apparent conflict between being satisfied with who I am and wanting to be a different,
Better version of myself?
In life and in meditation,
We are encouraged to accept ourselves the way we are.
At the same time,
We are encouraged to help the world and to remove our own suffering if we improve ourselves.
How do I resolve this apparent conflict between being satisfied with who I am and wanting to be a different,
Better version of myself?
There is no conflict or contradiction between the two.
If you want to improve yourself,
Go ahead and improve yourself.
If you want to learn more,
Go ahead and learn more.
If you want to increase your capacity or something,
Go ahead and do so.
You could be satisfied with who you are today,
But if you want to go forward and improve yourself,
You can do so.
However,
Keep in mind that when improving yourself,
Your goal may be achievable or not.
But if you can't achieve your goal,
That likely leads to a sense of suffering.
So you want to undergo that suffering if the underlying makeup,
Belief in yourself,
If you have faith in yourself,
Are satisfied the way you are.
Basically,
You are fine with yourself the way you are now,
And also you are fine with yourself the way you improve.
So if you want some change,
Then go ahead.
Try for that change.
And if you achieve that change,
Then you are fine with it.
But if you only go halfway through that change you want it,
Then you are also fine with it.
But if you haven't changed at all,
That's not a problem either.
You are fine with that as well.
That's the perspective and that's the teaching that says that you should be satisfied and accept yourself the way you are.
