Story of Prideful (06-23-2020)
Too much pride is troublesome. It is very difficult to realize its affect, as pride becomes a part of you little by little without you noticing. For example, this person was accepted by a top level university and he thought “I am so smart” and kept this consciousness continuously. He went to work for a top company. He worked carrying his consciousness of “I am so smart”. He climbs the corporate ladder keeping the consciousness of “I am so smart”. He met many famous people and became a “Greater Person”. He ignored and looked down on people who he used to get together with. They became unnecessary people for him. He lost himself and pride dominated him.
A person went to a top university. But he did not think that “I am smart”. He studied hard and got a job at a top company. He climbed the corporate ladder by working hard. He did not at all have a consciousness of “I am a smart guy”. However, people around him knew that he was smart. He could interact with any person and was respected by people around him. He lived his life without having become dominated by pride.
There is this beautiful woman. She used to be very popular. Everyone wanted to be close to her. In her consciousness “I am beautiful” started to grow. I am the most beautiful woman. She carried the consciousness of “I am beautiful and superior”. She became “I am superior.” and she dictated to people around her. As she believes she is right most of the time, she lectured people. Her consciousness to compete appeared. In spite of her arrogance, people around her could not see this so she could not correct herself.
Somewhere in your life, thoughts of “I am smart” or “I am beautiful” may have appeared. I am not saying this is wrong. The problem is that consciousness stays in you and creates a “Special You”.
There are so many prideful people in Manhattan. Most of them are rich people. Rich=Prideful=Great People, something like this? There are many rich people in our building and they think they are “Special” people. They look down on people who work in our building. They are their servants. We can live safely because of them working here, where did the appreciation go? The problem is not only in rich, it is also in people who admire them.
For example, Dakota House where John Lennon used to live, you cannot live there even if you had much money. People must be suitable for this building. Something like this is required too. Many of these rich people think they are “Great People”, however the problem is not only in them but in people who think they are “Great”. There are so many people who judge as “Great” by appearance. It is ok to think “They are rich” or “They are famous”, because it is true.
Accept it but letting go is important. So you’d better watch what comes next and catch it. You have to be careful of a consciousness of “I am great” because I live in such a building where many rich people live in. “Where do you live?” “I live in Roppongi Hills” “Roppongi Hills, isn’t it great you know!” if this comes out, it is dangerous. *Roppongi Hills is a famous and expensive apartment complex in Minato district in Tokyo. Another example, is this person wanted a status of “living in Minato-ku”, so he is renting this tiny apartment in Minato-district because Minato-district has name value. I can write more and more examples. “I am great”, the destination of this consciousness is politics? It is just sad.
It seems being prideful can easily enter a person and continuously stay in him/her without him/her realizing it. Anger, sadness, worry etc., comes together with emotion, so it is easier to catch this than catching being prideful. Prideful emotions are much more subtle, so it is very hard to find it. However, being prideful equals to compete and win. So if you think you are superior to other people or if you have consciousness of being better than someone, catch it! If you are looking down on someone or when your consciousness of I am beautiful and smart, catch them! You need to be very careful. Because being prideful hides in you and pretends that is you. If you are very prideful, you need to act more humble towards everything. Prideful is ego. The only way is to unravel a tangled thread patiently. It is a shame to leave this life without true learning because of your being prideful.