6 degrees apart

SAMSARA by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche

We want to be skinny, but we don’t control eating.
We want affection but we push away those that shower us with it.
We want to be free of debts but we recklessly spend.
We want love but we don’t want to accommodate and change.
We want face but we don’t act in ways that invite it.
We want people to help but do we really help?
We want respect but we run away when it gets tough.
We want blessings but without any commitments.
We want freedom from problems but we run from remedies.
We are frustrated, we don’t know much but we don’t want to study.
We want a good body but we don’t want excercise and diet.
We want clairvoyance but we don’t engage in retreats.
We want understanding but we create confusion with our non-commitment.
We want clarity of our intentions but without effort.
We want not to be misunderstood, but our words are elusive.
We want our Guru’s blessings and affection but without devotion.
We want constant support but we don’t make time for others.
We don’t want conflict, but we break our word of honour.
We want smiles, nice words, and acceptance but we are hard and unforgiving.
We pray to the Buddhas but our prayers doesn’t fruit.
We, from the depths, trust in our Dharma protectors but ignore to trust in practising the six paramitas.
We hate problems but we ignore the real cause of it.
We are lonely and lost because renunciation is just a big word.
Courage is not doing something in the absence of fear, but it is knowing that something else is more important than fear. So we do it.
Don’t look for love. Create it with whoever you meet.
Don’t look for respect. Be humble and sow the seeds to be respected and cherished.
Don’t look for kind words. Speak to others kindly and you’ll get it naturally.
Don’t have ill motive for money, gain and possessions from others and you will gain others’ trust, confidence and help.
Don’t find and magnify your own endless problems but solve, listen to and find solutions for others’ turmoils.
Then you will grow within and without.
We all have faults that hinder us. Let’s listen to other people’s fault-finding comments about us. If we don’t have what they say, then what are we possibly projecting to give others that idea? Let’s practise eliminating the fault and not the other person telling us.
Don’t hold anger, it benefits no one.
Don’t act out of anger, you will only be ashamed afterwards.
Don’t incite anger because you will get burned.
Be the first to make peace. Be the peacemaker and where you go you will be loved and able to love.

You can learn more about Rinpoche in his website at http://www.tsemtulku.com/
For those interested, you can even download his teachings online.