In psychology there is an understanding that our first impressions often leave lasting impressions. So there are numerous books written on body language, dressing for success, using motivational words, cultivating the right connections, and even thinking the right thoughts for success. Some people teach that you can fake it until you make it, whatever making it means.
If you want to see this type of intentional deception in action then just watch a politician for a couple of minutes. They have morphed themselves into a product and they hope they can convince enough people buy it.
But all of this intentional deception and manipulation to try to convince others that we are something they might like always seemed like a lot of work to me. Instead I have found it easier to practice an honest intention of compassion and to try to focus a loving attention on others. Obviously not everybody appreciates it and I know I don't always make a great impression. But at least this style of being is a lot more genuine and a lot easier for me.
You can fool some of the people all the time, but if you are sincere you don't need to fool anybody anytime.
Ancient teachers of nearly every spiritual tradition recognized the unity of life. They realized that if you developed a loving heart and cultivated thoughts built on respect then you were going to make a connection with others that go beyond the superficial mind games that we are taught to play.
All of life is connected in ways we don't understand. We are only conscious of a tiny bit of energy that is happening all around us. Since we can only consciously manipulate a tiny bit of the tiny bit of energy we are aware of then it seems like a big waste of energy and time to do anything but sincerely respect the individual beings that are a part of this unity of life. Grant
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