Where does low self-esteem come from ~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

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

Read a random quote or see all quotes by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

Further quotes from the book Not for Happiness: