Foolish, Selfish People

Foolish, selfish people are always thinking of themselves, and the result is always negative. Wise people think of others, helping them as much as they can, and the result is happiness.
-Dalai Lama

What did his holiness mean by the above quote? Let's take it apart.

Selfish people who spend all their time thinking about themselves are foolish?

Most of us are foolish to some extent until we wake up and realize, at least, who we are.  When we realize who we really are we see no "little self" and just one big greater Self that we are all apart of.  When we look into the baby's face, for example, (or the dogs or at nature) we feel something, right? Time stops for just a moment, we slip out of our heads and into our hearts.   What we see, often without consciously realizing it,  is a recognition, a reflection of who we are. Body line borders disappear if only for a second, from our mental perspective.  We are no longer separated but a part of the being we are looking at.  That is the truth we encounter on some level that goes way beyond thought. We are wise.

Selfishness is an act that only brings pain because it is so foreign to our true nature.  It is therefore foolish to be selfish.

The result of selfishness is negative

When we close up ourselves to this connection.  When we allow ego's fear control to keep us from seeing who we really are...we often become selfish and narcissistic.  "It is all about me'' becomes the mantra in some form.  We think we will find happiness, fulfillment, a sense of security when we do this...but atlas we never do.  The results are usually negative...leading us back to "suffering" again and again. We hurt, we hurt other people and things...all in an attempt to fill up empty holes in us that do not exist.  The result is negative. It really doesn't pay to look after "number one" when one doesn't realize what "One" really entails.

Wise people think of others

Compassion and service is the way of the wise.  By thinking of others one transcends the limitations of "I", "me,"mine" and "my". One recognizes that there is no separation and that when we help another , we help ourselves.

The Result, of which, is happiness

To be truly happy we need to give our lives away.  To know who we really are and what that Oneship entails is the mark of freedom.  When we are free from selfish ways we will live in  true peace and joy.

I believe that is what the Dalai Lama meant by those words above.

All is well.