Seven Points of Mind Training

Point 6 : Disciplines of Mind Training

24: Change your attitude but remain natural.

Point Six : Change your attitude but remain natural.

Commentary :

Generally, our attitude is that we always want to protect our own territory first. We want to preserve our own ground - others come afterward. The point of this slogan is to change that attitude around, so that we actually reflect on others first and on ourselves after. It is very simple and direct. You usually practice gentleness and tenderness toward yourself, and the opposite of that toward others. If you want something from outside, you will send someone else to get it for you instead of going out and getting it yourself. So this slogan applies to the attempt to impose your power and your authority on others. You also try to get away with things. For instance, you don't wash the dishes, hoping that somebody else will do it. Changing your attitude means reversing your attitude altogether - instead of making someone else do something, you do it yourself.

Then the slogan says "remain natural," which has a sense of relaxation. It means taming your basic being, taming your mind altogether so that you are not constantly pushing other people around. Instead, you take the opportunity to blame yourself.

We are talking about changing your attitude of cherishing yourself. Instead of cherishing yourself, you cherish others - and then you just relax. That's it. It's very simple-minded.