Do you ever feel ashamed?

Question

I often do. Usually it is just imaginary judgements that I put on myself. Sometimes I behave in a way which I know is no good for me.

Are there any specific spiritual practices that help with shame? and/or help me to find more willpower?

(p.s. I'm into Buddhism)

Answer 1

ah, my friend!!!

let me serve as your mirror.....

"The house is always clean enough.
Even the sh't clinging to the toilet bowl is Buddha.

Everything is Buddha, You don't move from form to spirit.
Form is spirit."

so, there then is no shame, as you are this thing, are you not?

or is it still a mind thing, yet to be cognized??? perhaps the expression of moving from form to spirit is an allegorical one...

namaste, love and peace

Answer 2

I use to quite a bit, but guilt is a gift given by religion and society to keep the sheep in line, don't get me wrong I try not to harm others and that is possible because I had given up on the American dream and don't look for my happiness in the future. Meditation is and has been for me a way to drop off that old conditioning. In living life I must be present, now, this is the truth of life. If I can not find the truth right where I am I will never find it. My advice to anyone is to practice meditation and know you are the truth, the life, and the way. One does not need willpower so much, just *be as you are*!

Answer 3

If it's ashamed about something you've done in the past, realize that you can't change the past - you can only accept that it happened, learn from it, and move on. Beating yourself up over it doesn't accomplish anything. However it should act as a lesson to prevent you from doing the same thing in the future.

If it's because you're currently repeating things that you know are no good for you, then you need to stop and evaluate why - what is it about the action that gives the momentary reward, even though you know there are long-term negative repercussions?

Answer 4

No, there is no shame because there is no self judgment here.

So, is there ever a questioning of the validity or true purpose of the self imposed rules? It would be ironic if a spiritual practice were being sought to resolve the apparent problems arising from the inability to conform to your spiritual practices, eh? Possibly, that's the case?

Answer 5

Shame is psychological super-glue. In most cases it will NOT go away, even if dissociated through meditation practices. It literally glues you to illusion (the past) and produces a delusional repetitive experience into the future because it is embedded in mind/body chemistry.

It has to be contemplated, 'consciously' felt, the 'belief' identified/labeled, traced to its origin in experience, and reframed accurately until the 'fault' is forgiven in the light of reason and no longer triggers a physical response. Often this takes a bit of time and repetition.

Never ignore feelings of shame. They are diabolical in their power - like having your own little demons making a mess of your life.

Answer 6

Sounds like your developing a bad habit.
Make a conscious decision to develop good habits ..
recognise the dignity in each passer-by .. you'll become more dignified yourself;
do not cling .. onto things, pride, bad feelings;
remind yourself every now & then that you are part of the Whole .. and must share in all the infinite wealth and prosperity and joy that has to offer, believe me you'll soon start feeling wealthy yourself even if you have little money;
use every little trick if you have to .. git some guts .. be kind to yourself like you try to be to others .. are you any less worthy ..?
Love yourself, it's not selfishness, it's life.

Answer 7

I was never taught to feel ashamed.. My parents taught me to immediately assess and work my way out of mistakes rather than wallow in shame and become mired in the mistake..

Everyone makes mistakes no matter what their belief system is quickly learning from the mistake and moving on with the new found knowledge is far more productive than wallowing in shame...

Answer 8

Ah yes, and it's a fundamental tenet of Buddhism ...

"The Middle Way"

One should not attempt to be "too good" or "too bad" thereby eliminating the guilt associated with an impossible image to live up to -- as well as the throes of disappointment when we transgress as we frail humans do from time to time.

Answer 9

Yes, when I know I've done something emotional that put others ill at ease. To me it's a question of the objective me working with the subjective me. Logic and emotion trying to balance each other.

Answer 10

I am defined by some sites as 'buddhist' though I do not subscribe to any one coarse on my quest for understanding. I do not feel shame since I have become aware that 'fault' does not lie within so long as I do my best.

Answer 11

Q: Do you ever feel ashamed?

A: No

Q: Are there any specific spiritual practices that help with shame? and/or help me to find more willpower?

A: Yep.