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For instance, individuals with workaholic tendencies or doing so, we cultivate a sense of serenity both within
burnout frequently believe their worth is tied to their ourselves and in our interactions with the world.
productivity. This belief can stem from a desire to prove
themselves to others or to compensate for feelings of This understanding of acceptance is essential to
unworthiness. However, it is vital to recognize that our achieving nirvana and Buddhahood. It encourages us to
value is not contingent upon our accomplishments; we see our imperfections as part of the human experience,
are inherently worthy of love and acceptance simply for allowing us to grow in wisdom and compassion. By
being who we are. acknowledging our flaws without judgment, we can
foster a more profound sense of connection to ourselves
Parents love their children not based on their and others, ultimately leading us closer to the state of
achievements, but simply because of their existence. peace we seek.
This unconditional love serves as a reminder that
we, too, deserve to treat ourselves with kindness and In The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down,
compassion. While striving for self-improvement is you mention that the most effective route to inner
valuable, it should stem from a genuine desire to grow peace involves slowing down in our busy lives
and connect with others, not from a place of needing and recognizing that negative emotions are not
to earn love or approval. Embracing our imperfections permanent. Can you share briefly how this is possible?
allows us to live more authentically, fostering a deeper
connection to ourselves and to those around us. Indeed, the journey to inner peace often begins with
the practice of slowing down. Strong emotions can
As Buddhists, we are taught to strive to be a shift and change shape within a short span—typically
Buddha—the Perfect One—by eliminating our around 90 seconds. If we can observe these emotions
defilements or imperfections. How can we love our as we would a character in a TV drama, we can witness
imperfections and yet strive for Buddhahood? Can we their transient nature. When we find ourselves caught
reconcile this seemingly contradictory approach? in a difficult emotion, we often become overly identified

with it, amplifying it through our inner commentary
We can reconcile the pursuit of Buddhahood with the and judgments. However, by taking a step back and
acceptance of our imperfections by understanding that observing these emotions with curiosity, we can gain
these concepts are not mutually exclusive. In Mahayana valuable insights into their impermanence.
Buddhism, nothing in this world is inherently pure or
good, nor defiled or bad; it is our mind’s judgments that Interestingly, this act of observation can lead to
create these distinctions. For example, what one person the natural dissolution of these emotions without
perceives as imperfection can vary greatly from another’s requiring us to take any drastic action. The simple act of
perspective. Some may view making noise while eating awareness can be incredibly liberating.
noodles as perfectly acceptable, while others might
consider it rude. Similarly, being five minutes late to a Moreover, engaging in activities slowly allows us to
meeting can be interpreted as disrespectful by some, but experience and enjoy the present moment more fully.
as a minor infraction by others. For instance, if we leave home ten minutes earlier than
usual, we create space to appreciate our commute.
The key to achieving peace lies in fully accepting We can observe the colors of the sky, the beauty of the
ourselves and the world around us. This acceptance does flowers, and the birds we encounter along the way. This
not mean we abandon our aspirations for growth; rather, practice of mindfulness not only enhances our daily
it means we approach our journey with compassion experiences but also enriches our lives.
and understanding. When we learn to embrace our
imperfections, we alleviate the internal struggle that Eating slowly provides us with the opportunity to savor
often accompanies our aspirations for perfection. In our food, while taking time to listen to music enables us to