when you don't punish or condemn yourself, when you relax more and appreciate your body and mind, you begin to contact the fundamental notion of basic goodness in yourself. so it is extremely important to be willing to open yourself to yourself. developing tenderness toward yourself allows you to see both your problems and your potential accurately. you don't feel that you have to ignore your problems or exaggerate your potential. that kind of gentleness toward yourself and appreciation of yourself is very necessary. it provides the ground for helping yourself and others.

chögyam trungpa,