Confidence, Dignity, and Pride

Confidence is necessary on the spiritual path as it is in mundane life. It is important for us to develop confidence in the teachings that we are following and in the practices we apply. If we don’t have confidence, then at the first sign of problems we might give up.

In this short video teaching, Rinpoche answers a student’s question about the difference between confidence, pride, and dignity. Unfortunately, our confidence is usually mixed with pride. When it is genuine, confidence manifests as dignity. We can first recognize and then slowly release the pride—but this takes time. Genuine dignity pervades our experience at all times, regardless of our status or position.