It's very hard to grow, because it's difficult to let go of the models of ourselves in which we've invested so heavily.
Ram DassCompassion is the basis of all truthful relationship: it means being present with love-for ourselves and for all life, including animals, fish, birds, and trees. Compassion is bringing our deepest truth into our actions, no matter how much the world seems to resist, because that is ultimately what we have to give this world and one another.
Ram DassWe're receiving information from all the planes of our consciousness all the time, but we don't acknowledge their existence; we treat the information as static, as noise.
Ram DassSo somebody comes along and gets to me. They get me angry or uptight or they awaken some desire in me, wow am I delighted. They got me. And thatโs my work on myself. If I am angry with you because your behavior doesnโt fill my model of how you should be, thatโs my problem for having models. No expectations, no upset. If you are a liar and a cheat, thatโs your Karma. If Iโm cheated, thatโs my work on myself.
Ram Dass