As Jesus said – first take out the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.
Why do we spend so much time judging, criticising or blaming others? I have been in this trap many times myself, but now I understand that I was still yet to delve deeper into my own attachments. I was lacking understanding and compassion. And most of all, I was still judging, blaming and criticising myself. I had internalised my shame – but rather than looking at it, I projected it out onto others.
The more we project our shame, anger, resentment or any other emotion onto another, the more disconnected from ourselves we become. And in this disconnected state, we are unable to see clearly. We only see what is wrong in everyone else, rather than being humble enough to see where our inner child is just wanting to get their needs met through being the “right” one or good one.
Playing up to a good or nice character is dangerous, because to maintain a good image, one must keep hiding anything deemed other than good in their basement of secrets. And anything that is kept in the darkness will inevitably be brought to light – but usually in undesirable ways. The mask is eventually removed, leaving a frail and fearful being who has lost all concept of who they are.
This isn’t just the fate of the “nice” ones – it’s also those who hide behind the mask of superiority – perhaps even arrogance. I wonder what they keep hidden in their basement?
It all comes down to the level of safety one feels in shining the light onto their perceived darkness.
First – they must be willing to look at it themselves… the mistakes, the habits, the shame, the greed, ALL of it. Only when they can find acceptance of all aspects and roles that they have played, can they release it from the darkness and into the light.
Through this acceptance is when one gains compassion and understanding towards not only themselves, but to others, because now they see from a much larger perspective – you could even say the TRUE perspective, rather than false narratives and assumptions.
Why should someone care to be humble?
Because to be humble is to release the grip of control in life. It’s a complete surrender – a letting go of the fear of being perceived negatively – by yourself or others. Through this release, an influx of life-force energy is then freed up – allowing for full expression, fun and freedom. This is where spontaneity lives rather than constriction. And this is where life opens up.