A heedless heart is always searching for what is wrong in others. A restless mind looks outward, pointing to the faults, weaknesses, and unfinished places of other people, while forgetting to look within.
But what can a person truly know of another’s shortcomings when they are still blind to their own? How can we judge the path of another soul when we have not yet sat quietly beside our own fire and examined what still needs healing within ourselves?
This is a sacred guide for human conduct. Before we speak of another person’s faults, we must first ask the Great Spirit, Wakan Tanka, the Maker of All Good Things, to help us see our own. Until we recognize our own shortcomings, we cannot become whole. Until we humble ourselves before the truth within our own heart, we cannot walk in balance.
Nothing is more fruitful for a human being than the honest knowledge of their own imperfections. This knowledge does not bring us shame. It comes to awaken us, to cleanse us, to teach us humility, and to open the doorway to transformation.
The Blessed One reminds us with wonder: How strange it is when a person does not see their own imperfections.
So let us stop searching for faults in one another. Let us turn our eyes inward with courage, prayer, and humility. Let us ask the Creator of Souls to show us what must be healed, strengthened, forgiven, and made new.
In this way, we become more gentle with others, more truthful with ourselves, and more useful in the sacred work of healing the world.