Learn to be moral 

by observing those who are 

unrestrained. 

An unrestrained person pursues her own preferences and attachments. If these coincide with the established guidelines and rules for good behavior, fine. But if not, she goes her own way, believing that it’s no big deal, justifying that she’s in a hurry, or just placing her happiness before that of others. Whatever.

Wrapped up in her own world, she doesn’t notice the discomfort she’s causing others.

If criticized for her behavior, she might lash out in embarrassment or frustration. She might even get into difficulties legally. She’ll undoubtedly be in trouble karmically for all the suffering she has left in her wake.

This is not someone we want to emulate. We don’t want to distress others. Or become argumentative or sullen when corrected. We want to live a principled life and not have any worries about our behavior.

We want to plant seeds for happiness, not suffering. 

Upon seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching, discriminatory thoughts arise . . . (Click image for video)

Learn to be generous 

by observing those who are 

selfish. 

A selfish person puts his own interests, his own desires, his own suffering, before those of others. Self-absorbed, he often doesn’t notice others’ situations. Or, although seeing what’s happening, it’s as if others’ concerns don’t register with him.

Perhaps he’s too busy with personal matters to help someone else. Too frustrated with an issue unfolding at work that it doesn’t occur to him to smile at the waitperson who looks in need of a little kindness. So engrossed in increasing his net worth that he can’t bear to give any of it away. So arrogant that he thinks he worked darn hard to get what he has and others are just plain lazy.

Whatever the reason, the door to his heart has been firmly closed. What a sad way to live—suspicious, grasping, fearful. Observing this person, we can throw open the door to our heart and be the very opposite: trusting, generous, courageous.

We can be more like a bodhisattva.