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What about pride?

BarraBarra soto zenniewandering in a cloud in beautiful, bucolic Victoria BC, on the wacky left coast of Canada Veteran
edited March 2010 in Buddhism Basics
So what about pride? Should it be suppressed?

This morning I was listening to our national radio program and they read out an email that I'd sent in response to a program on an international development issue. I belong to an advocacy group concerned with the topic and I provided additional information. This resulted in a replay of some of the initial interview, plus a new interview on a related topic. I am very pleased that my comments got airplay and that it resulted in more education on the topic. (let alone that they said my name three times and pronounced it correctly)

So - I'm proud of what I accomplished. and I put up a note to that effect on my Facebook page.

What do you think? Is it OK to feel pride? or should I keep it to myself without telling anyone.........

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited March 2010
    There is a difference between Honourable Pride and Egotistic Pride.
    In French it's 'Fierté', and 'Orgueil'.

    Fierte, is the kind of pride that makes us pleased that we have achieved something notable, or worthy, and orgueil is banging on about it until everyone is nauseous....:D

    I think you're Ok.
    Providing you can be detached from it, and move on....;)
  • FoibleFullFoibleFull Canada Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Barra wrote: »
    So what about pride? Should it be suppressed?

    This morning I was listening to our national radio program and they read out an email that I'd sent in response to a program on an international development issue. I belong to an advocacy group concerned with the topic and I provided additional information. This resulted in a replay of some of the initial interview, plus a new interview on a related topic. I am very pleased that my comments got airplay and that it resulted in more education on the topic. (let alone that they said my name three times and pronounced it correctly)

    So - I'm proud of what I accomplished. and I put up a note to that effect on my Facebook page.

    What do you think? Is it OK to feel pride? or should I keep it to myself without telling anyone.........

    No, it is never a good idea to suppress any feeling, neither from the standpoint of psychology or of Buddhism.

    Pride, however, is an investment in one's self, rather than freedom from one's self ... it is neither good nor bad, it's merely a choice based on our understanding.

    I suspect the Dalai Lama himself is aware of self-pride from time to time ... and I bet he observes it with laughter at the absurdity of being proud about oneself (he certainly does with other forms of attachment).

    But we are not as skillful as the Dalai Lama, and that's fine too. We just need to remember that someday our understanding will free us from being snared by our attachments. And that is the order of it ... change follows understanding, not the other way around.
  • skydancerskydancer Veteran
    edited March 2010
    Barra wrote: »
    So what about pride? Should it be suppressed?

    This morning I was listening to our national radio program and they read out an email that I'd sent in response to a program on an international development issue. I belong to an advocacy group concerned with the topic and I provided additional information. This resulted in a replay of some of the initial interview, plus a new interview on a related topic. I am very pleased that my comments got airplay and that it resulted in more education on the topic. (let alone that they said my name three times and pronounced it correctly)

    So - I'm proud of what I accomplished. and I put up a note to that effect on my Facebook page.

    What do you think? Is it OK to feel pride? or should I keep it to myself without telling anyone.........

    Is it pride or is it joy? Do you want the same things for everyone else or only for yourself?
  • Quiet_witnessQuiet_witness Veteran
    edited March 2010
    There are benficial and growth promoting aspects to pride as there are to ego. I also think a self-aware form of pride is benficial for appropriate societal function. It motivates people to be just and successful what is important is to remeber you are not different than your people because of your recognition and success.
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited March 2010
    FoibleFull wrote: »
    I suspect the Dalai Lama himself is aware of self-pride from time to time ... and I bet he observes it with laughter at the absurdity of being proud about oneself (he certainly does with other forms of attachment).
    Oh goodness, yes... this reminds me of a film clip I saw of him. He was presiding over an audience..I'm afraid I don't know whether it was a special Buddhist occasion, or just an occasion with him 'on tour' as it were.... There were numerous people on stage with him, and at one point, a lady climbed the stairs from the auditorium, onto the stage, clutching a large bunch of flowers.
    The Dalai lama, smiling, rose, and bowing in thanks, waited to take the flowers....
    But the lady walked straight past him, to another person on the stage, whose birthday it was.
    The Dalai Lama, as one might expect, saw the funny side of it.... but I suspect it was a salutary lesson to him, that even though he was occupying centre Stage, not everything that day was "about him"....!:lol:
  • FoibleFullFoibleFull Canada Veteran
    edited March 2010
    federica, LOVE that story about the Dalai Lama and the flowers. Thanks! One more example of where I need to head!
  • upekkaupekka Veteran
    edited March 2010
    if it is pride then that is not OK
    if it is joy then it is OK

    check what exactly it is
    no others can check it but oneself
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