All That You Seek Is Already Within You

One who is unable to overcome the temptation of wealth will be distressed by gain-and-loss; one who is unable to overcome the temptation of fame will be disturbed by praise-and-blame. ​

A person who is able to overcome his internal afflictions is a truly powerful person. Ignorance stems from misunderstanding karma and its effects, and only focusing on the temporary right-and-wrong, or gain-and-loss.  Sometimes we may feel we have been treated unfairly. The moment we choose to revenge furiously, we have fallen into an insidious karmic trap. When we surpass our own attachment to having more-and-having less, and disallow afflictions from arising, it’s okay to undertake a counterattack position for the altruistic purpose.  

When we understand impermanence, we could be more detached to our own gain-and-loss, or success-and-failure. In any situation, we would cherish life, treat others kindly, and tend to ourselves. True belief in the simple concept – “Your kindness will reward you” – guides us to surpass our own gain-and-loss and to focus on practicing good deeds. If we are too focused on ourselves, we only consider our own problems, happiness and gain-and-loss, etc. In the end, there is only “myself” left in the mind, which leads to a lonely existence.

All the gains-and-losses and fortune-and-misfortune, are caused by ourselves and affect ourselves. We experience the consequences of our own acts.​

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