We Don't Need To Change Ourselves
In this episode, I explore the idea that we don't need to change ourselves, drawing inspiration from Pema Chödrön's teachings on self-acceptance. The core Buddhist concept presented is that our inherent nature is kindness and goodness, often obscured by layers of mental conditioning, much like a golden Buddha statue hidden by clay. Key takeaways include understanding that true spiritual practice isn't about self-improvement but about befriending who we already are, and that moral imperatives arise not from "shoulds" but from recognizing our innate capacity for goodness. This perspective offers practical relevance by encouraging us to shift from a societal pressure of "should change" to an acceptance of "can change," fostering peace and acceptance by seeing ourselves and others through the lens of interdependence and impermanence, much like truly seeing a flower requires seeing all the elements that contribute to its existence.
