Account of the Reading on Pride in the Wereld Museum

Saturday 14 May, Lama Jigmé gave the fourth reading in the series 'The Five Poisons' in the Wereld Museum in Rotterdam. After ignorance, desire, and anger, pride was up for conversation.

Since the word pride can be misleading (there's nothing wrong with being proud of your own accomplishment, or that of someone else), the word 'ego'; is actually a better description, Lama Jigmé  explained at the start of the reading just past three. 'Ego' here is used to mean arrogance, and low self-esteem, since it's all derived from ego. Why is this a poison?, asks Lama Jigmé of the public. The Buddha lived about 2500 years ago, perhaps it's not even a poison anymore. We can all experience and analyze for ourselves. Is it still the case? Is it difficult to be fair? To be pure? To share, to communicate? To feel alone?

In this context, poison means that human relationships can't be pure due to the interference of ego. The ego is an obstacle for human relationships. The danger of thoughts such as 'I'm better' is first of all that situations are always temporary. Look around you: success, power, money, it's all impermanent. In addition, the thought 'I can do it better' can harm others, making it impossible to have good personal relationships. On the other hand, people who feel alone or inferior, are often blocked. We all need human relationships, but we don't really know how to be open.

This doesn't have anything to do with Buddhism or religion. We are all human beings, and we need relationships. The fact that relationships often aren't simple is due to the five poisons: ignorance, desire, anger, pride and jealousy. Think about it: If you feel irritation, where does that come from? The five poisons obstruct the development of a peaceful mind, and harmonious relationships.

Hence, we often feel that we're either too good (I am the best), or not good enough (I am no good), and both cause damage. There isn't any balance, no middleway. It's just like taking a shower: The water shouldn't be too cold, but also not too hot. The water, or the ego, is the same, you just need to find balance between warm and cold. Keep yourself aware of the question: Is this going to bring harm to myself or others?

Ego is not only bad. Sometimes ego is good, or even necessary. For example, in the case of studies. Studying is an antidote for low self-esteem. You can always think: 'I have a mind, I can study.' This also applies to meditation. Another antidote for a low self-image is: Never give up.

In addition, it's imperative that you clean up your mind now and again, just as you would your house. Memories and bad habits should be let go of. And finally, it's important to develop your own autonomy. Autonomy can be understood as not allowing your self image to be swayed by complements, or criticism. You know who you are; you know your qualities, and your pitfalls, and you don't allow yourself to be influenced. That is, if you take a shower with the right temperature: not too hot; and not too cold.

Saturday 18 June is the last reading in the series on the five poisons: jealousy.