Bodhicitta is like this. First, you have to understand your own ego problems—craving, desire, anger, impatience; your own situation, your inability to cope, your own disasters—within yourself and feel compassion for yourself.

Because of the situation you’re in, start by becoming the object of your own compassion. It begins from there: “This situation I’m in, I’m not the only one with ego conflict and problems. In all the world’s societies, some people are upper class, some middle and others low; some are extremely beautiful, some are medium and others are ugly. But, just like me, everybody seeks happiness and does not desire to be miserable.”

In this way, a feeling of equilibrium begins to come. Somehow, deep within you, equilibrium towards enemies, strangers and friends arises—it is not merely intellectual, but something sincere. It comes from deep down; from the bottom of your heart.

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