Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I was suffering and I made a mistake thinking that somehow doing something unskillful could bring me happiness. For a scant few seconds the pain of desire was soothed only to be quickly replaced with regret.

My job now is to forgive and hold muy heart with compassion so that I might learn not to make the same mistake again. How many times have I tried to punish myself for my errors only to find myself committing them again?

I feel that I need to do my best not to give into guilt and negativity which will only compound the harm I’ve done myself. It helps to recall how I might comfort and counsel a friend in a similar situation; may I be as good a friend to myself as I would to anyone else.