The mind is not your friend. Left neglected and wild it is like an untrained dog. It will show you no loyalty and will likely bite you given a chance. We must learn as the Dalai Lama stated to train the mind like we would a dog so that it becomes loyal and does not bite us.
There are parts of our mind that at times try to bring us to our knees, that takes us to negative and dark places. We need to learn to find a mechanism to see this and step back from it. Only through mindful practice can we hope to master it.
In these moments where we learn to exert control over the mind is an enlightened moment. Some people misunderstand enlightenment as an act of great and supreme self sacarfice. Yet actually it can occur simply through an act of self love, whereby you transform and transition your life from self doubt, self loathing into self belief and self love. It may only come in moments initially but through practice can be maintained. What greater sacarfice can you make but to accept your life at present is in need to transformation into something more. In this state, without realising maybe we develop greater empathy, compassion, tolerance and love for all as well as self. Is this not enlightening?
Through this act we can save ourselves and others.
fauxcroft 
Leave a comment