The Prism

What is the "Prism of the Self?"  It is when you are turned in upon yourself, your own self-importance and comfort.  Religion would call this "sin."  It is missing the mark of what fulfills us.  We are filled up by self-emptying.  Say what?  Be helpful to someone else.  You will see that it makes you lose your grip on your unfulfiled desires and self-preoccupation.  You will find that you feel better about yourself.  Forgiveness is a way to be helpful, especially if it is someone who has interfered with your own programs for happiness.  Self-emptying means that we are helpful to people without asking, "How is going to effect me?"  We can start out being helpful because it makes us feel better.  This is a start.  It is like a train engine that is pulling lots of cars.  The train starts slowly.  We start being helpful as we drag our own baggage along.  Eventually, we let go of self and find joy in simply being useful without worrying about how it will turn out.  The results are not up to us.  Mediation helps me to get "Right-Selfed."