Humans
are very self-centred, always focusing on the
ego-self. Accordingly, we always see things only from our own perspectives—that often becomes the source of all
human conflicts, and hence the origin of most human miseries.
To make yourself become a
better and a happier individual, you must learn to change your thinking. To do just that, you need human wisdom, and
one of its essentials is mindfulness,
which is awareness of what is going on in your mind, how you think, and how
your thoughts create your so-called “realities” that are responsible for your happiness
or unhappiness.
Judgment and
Perspective
Through repeated mental training, you may begin to change
for the better: becoming less easily angry and more readily loving and
forgiving. More importantly, you may become more capable of assessing and
analyzing the long- and short-term consequences of your actions on yourself as
well as on others.
Slowly and gradually, you may no longer identify anyone as your “enemy” because, according to TAO wisdom,
there should be “no judgment”—which is no comparison and contrast. You don’t
compare person “A” with person “B”, or with yourself; and you don’t even compare your “present”
self with your “past” self. The explanation is that everything remains only with
that very present moment, because everything is changing every moment.
With no judgment, you may also begin to see anything and
everything in perspective, and in its own reality. All material things, people,
and even your own body may not be the sources of your happiness. Instead, the
material things you always crave may make you sad, the people you love may give
your trouble, and the body you own may give you pain. No judgment is part and parcel
of letting go—one of the essentials of Tao wisdom, and an indispensable
ingredient in eliminating anger and envy, among many other negative emotions
that are the real destroyers of your happiness in life. Remember, everything is impermanent, and
nothing lasts.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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