Dalai Wisdom

So it's Christmas, which whether you're Christian or not, practicing or not, is a good time to pause and reflect. Maybe you can do it as the year is ending or the Northern hemisphere winter is turning (or Summer in the South).

I try to get wiser, but I'm not sure I've got to any sensible plateau as yet, so perhaps I should hand over this year's serving to the Dalai Lama. He's a tolerant sort of chap who seems to have found the secret of happiness in the face of much reason for sorrow. I recently came across his '18 Rules for Living' and was quite struck by them. So I've reproduced them here. I tend to annotate interesting things with my thoughts about them, but I think these need no comment, which is perhaps another testament to their value.

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson..

Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Spend some time alone every day.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honourable life.

A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation.

Share your knowledge.

Be gentle with the earth.

Once a year, as often as possible, go someplace you've never been before.

Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

So there you are. Wise advice indeed. And please do have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And beyond that, of course.

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