Doctors are notorious for their ego. I’m not sure what you’d call it, conceit I guess. But when your split second decision makes the difference between life and death, I can see how you almost have to be self centered to live like that? Actually, this is why I say pride isn’t to blame. The doctor should have pride in their role. They did master medicine, and should be confident in what they know. It’s the conceit that makes for so much malpractice. They do not need it.

Others are often jealous of another’s pride, and try to knock them down. Yes, the conqueror conquers themselves or gains nothing. Those who would level another, shame themselves. If they judge rightly, and that other is in hubris, then they need humiliation. They will stumble over their own lolling tongue as they always do. Is this not your experience?

The shameful show themselves to be shameful. It is said in many eastern schools, if you would know anything you need not even seek. Be still and aware, it’s quite obvious. The arrogant can’t stop talking. The wise never stop listening, even when they speak.

A test of feeling pride is that we naturally want to praise others. If we don’t feel that, we are likely feeling conceit? Yes, real pride requires no harm be done to another. You are proud because you are engaged, connected. It’s an affirmation that that part of your life is right, and that even those in it are right. That everything is balanced.  Pride is not imbalanced. It’s not over reaching. If anything, ever notice how often an arrogant person is embarrassed? A person with proper pride can sit exactly where they are and feel ok. They don’t need constant validation because they know what’s what, and what they are a part of. With the arrogant they know at least in the back of their mind that they are on shaky ground. They need ‘yes men‘, otherwise they slink away, and blame the situation that didn’t validate their arrogance.

I blame it on the cultures idea of pride being evil, and humility good. In the center, the question of pride and humility isn’t even asked. It isn’t necessary. That which goes against the Tao or Way cannot stand. Shame burns out as quickly as arrogance, because they aren’t balanced.

How do we deal with people who want to ‘take us down’? Regrettably on this I cannot advise, I have a poor grasp of the “social game”, so don’t really know how to deal with it myself.

I work with equanimity and compassion. If I am balanced, at center, ‘they’ can not take me down. There’s no me to take down. No limited you that can be attacked. You are you. You aren’t what they say you are. That is limited. You aren’t what you say you are. That is limited. But you are, you exist. Namaste.

Your thoughts are welcome. Be well friends.

Travis Saunders
Dragon Intuitive
~science,mysticism,spirituality~