Lojong

[sabrinamari]

Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one.

Commentary: The two witnesses of what you do are others and yourself. Of these two, you are the only one who really knows exactly what is going on. So work on seeing yourself with compassion but without any self-deception.

Lojong slogan 20, The Compassion Box, Pema Chodron

[59 Buddhist Teachings on Living Life with Fearlessness and Compassion, translated by the Nalanda Translation Committee, with commentary by Pema Chodron]

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Good advice.

Comments

[bobby1933.livejournal.com]

I know things about others that they cannot know about themselves.
Others know things about me that i cannot know about myself.
Others know things about themselves that i cannot know about them.
I know things about myself that others cannot know about me.

So just who is the "principal witness" of my actions?
Probably the other person.
For i can only see what i am doing.
but she can see me doing it.
She may be in the dark about my motive,
but i may be equally blind to my true motives.

[gracewillow.livejournal.com]

I just read Pema Chodron's Taking the Leap, recommended by a mutual friend of ours (whose LJ-name I forget). Amazing stuff--her concept of "pausing" at moments throughout the day could really be helpful to me. Now I understand why you're so fascinated by her.