The Daily Dalai: “A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals the secret of some hidden treasure.”

Wow, a utopian vision! HH invokes the ideal, the goal. Can we subscribe to it? I must say it seems far-fetched in this ego-driven nightmare we are living in. Who among us can honestly say they welcome criticism and correction?

During my working years, I had the job of auditing, assessing and assuring quality of staff performance for a state agency. I can’t recall a single instance of “happy the QA lady is here to correct my work.” Quite the contrary was the case.

Oh sure I learned how. The point is no one wanted to hear they had room to improve. Which is sad when you consider that everyone does.

So Holiness, we thank you for directing our attention to a clear measure of ego-attachment that we may re-commit to relinquishing same.

I’m afraid you have also underlined the distance yet to go.

In my personal life I have known many who burst into flame upon any suggestion of criticism. None of the other kind. Let us re-commit ourselves to become free from the shackles of ego. It has ever been our undoing.

Self importance is the great illusion of humanity. We’re so proud of ourselves. Men in suits proclaim our will.

Indeed.