Becoming Aware of Our Faults Is the First Step Toward Overcoming Them

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It is difficult for an
individual to see his own

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shortcomings or faults.
Many times we see them reflected

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in others and we externalize
them to such a degree that we

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take exception to the other
person, not recognizing that we

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are seeing our own faults
displayed in front of us.

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If we have a confrontation with
someone, they may point out

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these faults, but we are
generally less receptive to

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hearing it when it comes from a
perceived opponent or enemy.

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People who are close to us, who
are our friends and relatives,

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are frequently reticent to
discuss these things with us,

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particularly if we have a habit
of negative reaction or argument

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which they have seen displayed
in the past.

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Thus, we remain usually cut off
from learning the lesson and

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moving beyond these shortcomings
under most circumstances.

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Thus, it is an enormous benefit
to a seeker to have a person

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whom we respect and honor for
their wisdom take up the

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opportunity to expose our faults
for us.

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This is a means of real progress
and opens the door to new

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insights and inner spiritual
growth.

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A verse from the Dhammapada.
We should seek the company of

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the sage who shows our faults as
if he were showing us a hidden

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treasure.
The Mother notes quote in all

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scriptures meant to help mankind
to progress.

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It is always said that you must
be very grateful to those who

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show you your faults, and so you
must seek their company.

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But the form used here is
particularly felicitous.

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If a fault is shown to you, it
is as if a treasure were shown

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to you.
That is to say, each time that

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you discover in yourself a
fault, incapacity, lack of

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understanding, weakness,
insincerity, all that prevents

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you from making a progress, it
is as if you discovered a

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wonderful treasure.
Instead of growing sad and

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telling yourself, oh, there is
still another defect.

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You should On the contrary,
rejoice as if you had made a

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wonderful acquisition because
you have just caught hold of one

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of those things that prevented
you from progressing.

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And once you have caught hold of
it, pull it out.

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For those who practice a yogic
discipline, consider that the

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moment you know that a thing
should not be, you have the

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power to remove it, discard it,
destroy it.

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To discover a fault is an
acquisition.

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It is as though a flood of light
had come to replace the little

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speck of obscurity which has
just been driven out.

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End Quote Reference Srioro Bindu
and the Mother, Looking from

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Within, Chapter 2.
Looking at Oneself and Others,

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page 37.