Where does low self-esteem come from? Those with low self-esteem tend to have highly developed egos; they long to be best at everything and valued highly by everyone they meet, and imagine their ego is repressed, weak and needs boosting. But once we develop the attitude of a bodhisattva, we have little or no ego and therefore there is no “I” to worry about giving all the good stuff away or to be bothered by the bad stuff. Bodhisattvas lack “ego” as a reference point, and therefore their confidence continues to grow, giving even the idea of low self-esteem no chance of raising its ugly head. So don’t be afraid of applying the bodhichitta of aspiration again and again.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

from the book Not for Happiness: A Guide to the So-Called Preliminary Practices

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Further quotes from the book Not for Happiness:

• The merit of maintaining mindfulness
• Right intention
• Wealth is contentment
• Obstacles Create Fertile Ground for Practice
• To reject your aggression is a weakness
• Adapting the Dharma
• Dealing with Emotions
• As they truly are
• Altruism bolsters self-confidence
• The signs of progress
• Just space
• Life is a stream of sensory illusions
• What is merit
• Avoid being distracted
• Absolutely nothing genuinely works
• Self Trapped
• Remain alone and practise the dharma
• Not designed to cheer you up
• Sign of a mature practitioner