How to See Yourself As You Really Are

How to See Yourself As You Really Are – Dalai Lama

Many of our problems, according to Buddhist teaching, arise from a mistaken view of ourselves and the world. We believe that people and things exist independently and permanently, and this misunderstanding leads to attachment, anger and suffering. In How to See Yourself As You Really Are, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers a practical guide to understanding the true nature of the self and reality.

Translated and edited by Jeffrey Hopkins, a respected scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, the book explains the Buddhist concept of dependent arising, the idea that all things, including ourselves, come into being through causes, conditions and relationships rather than existing on their own. Understanding this, the Dalai Lama explains, can help us see beyond false appearances, reduce destructive emotions and develop genuine compassion for others.

The book presents a series of clear, step-by-step reflections and meditations that readers can practice to deepen their understanding. These exercises guide readers in examining how they perceive themselves and others, recognizing how appearances can be misleading, and developing a more accurate and peaceful view of reality. The Dalai Lama also explains how this insight connects with love and compassion, which he describes as essential for happiness.

Written in an accessible and warm style, the book makes complex philosophical ideas understandable for general readers.

Thoughtful and practical, How to See Yourself As You Really Are is a valuable read for anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation, philosophy and personal growth, whether new to these ideas or experienced in practice.