On giving advice

[Ngawang Drolma]

Excluding qualified dharma teachers, what's your take on giving advice? In particular, how eager are you to give your thoughts and advices when they haven't really been requested?

Kindly,
Laura

[Luke]

Excluding qualified dharma teachers, what's your take on giving advice? In particular, how eager are you to give your thoughts and advices when they haven't really been requested?

When I'm thinking about whether or not to give my advice to someone, I consider these things:
1) My motivations for giving the advice: Am I really doing this to help that person or am I just trying to create some emotional satisfaction for myself by talking about what I want to talk about?

2) The receptiveness of the person: If I think that they absolutely won't even listen to what I have to say, I don't bother saying anything.

3) The quality of my advice: Is my advice really as good as I think it is and is it stated clearly enough for another person to benefit from it? If not, then I need to improve my advice before I say anything.

We can each get wrapped up in ourselves too easily. The more I learn, the more I realize that I need to keep watch over my spontaneous thoughts and actions, so I don't simply pass on more unnecessary negative karma to others.

[Karma Dondrup Tashi]

Excluding qualified dharma teachers, what's your take on giving advice? In particular, how eager are you to give your thoughts and advices when they haven't really been requested?

I really wouldn't.

[Ngawang Drolma]

Excluding qualified dharma teachers, what's your take on giving advice? In particular, how eager are you to give your thoughts and advices when they haven't really been requested?

I really wouldn't.

Perfect dear Tashi. Next time I need advice I'm coming straight to you