This quote, “Cut out the love of self, like an autumn lotus with thy hand!” is a metaphorical expression that encourages individuals to let go of their self-centeredness or ego. The autumn lotus in this context symbolizes the ego or self-love which often blossoms and thrives during favorable conditions but withers away when faced with adversity.
The act of cutting it out signifies a conscious effort to remove, reduce, or control this sense of self-importance. It suggests that just as one would pluck a lotus from its stem manually, getting rid of egocentricity also requires deliberate and proactive action.
In today’s world where individualism is highly valued and celebrated, it’s easy for us to become excessively focused on ourselves – our needs, wants, ambitions. This can lead to selfish behaviors and attitudes that harm our relationships and hinder our growth. By applying Buddha’s idea in our lives we can strive for more balanced perspectives where we value not only ourselves but others too.
In terms of personal development, letting go of excessive self-love might mean becoming more empathetic towards others’ feelings and needs; being open to constructive criticism; acknowledging mistakes instead of defending them; or giving credit where it’s due rather than hogging all the limelight. This doesn’t mean completely ignoring one’s own needs but rather ensuring they don’t always overshadow those around us.
When we cut out extreme love for ourselves like an autumn lotus by hand – deliberately and conscientiously – we create space for compassion towards others and humility within ourselves. We become more grounded individuals who are better equipped at handling life’s ups & downs without losing perspective – leading not only to personal growth but also contributing positively towards society at large.
