A lesson in altruism...

A passage from How to be Compassionate by the Dali Lama

- Adversity Helps Build Character -

"Anger destroys love and compassion, and anger is undermined by patience, which is best practiced with an enemy. Without adversaries, you could not fully engage in the practice of patience - tolerance and forbearance. We need enemies to strengthen our practice, and from this spiritual viewpoint we can even be grateful to them. In terms of training in altruism, an enemy is really your guru, your teacher. Since enemies are the greatest teachers of altruism, instead of generating hatred for them, we must view them with gratitude."

It is sometimes hard to remember that if we didn't come across people and things that caused us frustration, there would be no place for us to grow as individuals. Almost daily we are acosted by people or things that cause us discomfort, and if you are able to keep it all in perspective, there is really no better chance to grow. The key to this, is to listen and learn in all aspects of life. For instance, I stubbed my toe this morning in the dark. (After several minutes of cursing.) I came to the conclusion that I had nobody to blame but myself. Had I picked up last night, instead of going to bed, there would have been nothing for me to have jammed my toe into the back of my foot. Not paying attention to the details in my day to day life created this opportunity for Karma to lash out. But one can't say I didn't learn my lesson. The next step is to not fall back on what you have learned. I know myself, and am aware I am just as likely to forget to pick up tomorrow.

In the passage above, the Dali Lama is speaking of enemies as in the people who bring anger into our lives... this morning, my enemy was a piece of wood...