“My errors do not lull me to sleep, but they open my eyes to a deeper vision of life.”
To err is human. Becoming a complete human being does not mean becoming infallible. It means, instead, extracting wisdom from all experiences, including the experience of erring.
There are three principal conditions of the self: the imperious self, the self-critical self, and the tranquil self. Each responds to errors differently.
The imperious self is quick to point out others’ errors, but refuses to acknowledge its own. It is prepared to go to the most extreme lengths to conceal or justify its missteps and trespasses. With respect to matters of conscience, the imperious self is deep asleep.
The self-critical self, on the other hand, is acutely aware of its mistakes. In fact, it is often overwhelmed by their profusion. You might say the self-critical self is half-awake, painfully conscious of its errors but as yet unable to see its way past them.
When one makes amends, learns from experience, takes a turn in life, and trusts in the Divine Forgiveness, the tranquil self appears. The tranquil self is wide-awake, and walks with self-confidence and faith in the One.
When one has genuinely learned from one’s mistakes, one will not repeat them. Of course, one may yet make new and different mistakes—mistakes of a subtler kind. But one will learn from these too. In this way the vision of life continuously deepens.
Music of the Spheres: Gamaka Commentaries, Vadan
To err is human. Becoming a complete human being does not mean becoming infallible. It means, instead, extracting wisdom from all experiences, including the experience of erring.
There are three principal conditions of the self: the imperious self, the self-critical self, and the tranquil self. Each responds to errors differently.
The imperious self is quick to point out others’ errors, but refuses to acknowledge its own. It is prepared to go to the most extreme lengths to conceal or justify its missteps and trespasses. With respect to matters of conscience, the imperious self is deep asleep.
The self-critical self, on the other hand, is acutely aware of its mistakes. In fact, it is often overwhelmed by their profusion. You might say the self-critical self is half-awake, painfully conscious of its errors but as yet unable to see its way past them.
When one makes amends, learns from experience, takes a turn in life, and trusts in the Divine Forgiveness, the tranquil self appears. The tranquil self is wide-awake, and walks with self-confidence and faith in the One.
When one has genuinely learned from one’s mistakes, one will not repeat them. Of course, one may yet make new and different mistakes—mistakes of a subtler kind. But one will learn from these too. In this way the vision of life continuously deepens.