In traditional Buddhist terms, there are eight worldly winds (Four pairs of worldly winds)
Praise/Blame
Success/Failure (Gain/Loss)
Pleasure/Pain
Fame/Disrepute (Honor/Disgrace)
One doesn’t have to be a follower of Buddha to understand that four winds take us where we want to be, and the other four blow us in the opposite direction.
Balance is what we all seek to cope with the worldly winds that blow us first one way and then in the opposite direction. Buddhists call finding that balance — Equanimity — and soon we will talk about obtaining Balance/equanimity, but for the next few days let’s meditate on the winds of the world.
Our first concern is that we not get blown off course by too much wind even if it is favorable. Praise is something we all seek, but too much praise can swell our head and lead to arrogance and false pride. Praise needs to be tempered by humility if we are to stay on course. Praise can also make us too dependent on the opinions of others and we lose our own sense of self-worth.
Consider the worldly winds of Praise and Blame and how you remained centered when these winds blow your way.
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