Page 105 - Desire to Disaster

their own shortcomings and blamed themselves for the crime
committed by the wrongdoers.

If you feel compassion for someone, would you look for his
flaws and shortcomings?

If you were to accidentally crush an ant beneath your feet,
you would naturally feel regret. But would you feel regret if
you blamed the ant and believed that the ant was at fault for
walking in the wrong place and getting under your feet? Or
would you feel regret if you blamed yourself for not looking
while walking? You will find that if you look at your own
fault, you will feel a great deal of compassion for the ant.

A great man would think, “Oh! I became the catalyst for a
misdeed! I wonder what will happen to the poor creature.”
And thus, all his compassion would be directed towards the
poor suffering creature.

If you wish to inculcate universal passion within yourself, do
not pay any attention to the flaws, shortcomings and defects
of the world. Look for your own shortcomings.
Advantages of looking for your own shortcomings and feeling
only compassion for the other:

1. You widen your horizons, become more generous and
tolerant
2. You free yourself from arrogance

3. Your desire to reach the stage of perfection, siddhatva,
increases greatly

4. You feel pure compassion
5. You save yourself from aversion by simply not noticing the
shortcoming of the other

6. Your heart remains calm and unperturbed

7. Purifies your heart
Desire to Disaster 105