On Doubt

Self Doubt, that is.

Here is one conundrum that is handled rather differently by Zen and Psychology.  For several decades now, shrinks & mothers have been in the business of trying to shore up self-esteem. "Good Job!" and chase out the self-critical voices.  Oprah has joined the team as we try to see the best in ourselves.  But Zen says: Doubt away!  There is No Self.

When my friend Marta asked me to do a little (no pressure!) dance at a Festival, I panicked. "Riddled with doubt" is what I was.  Just then, I opened the mail and in it was a poem written by my mother: On Doubt.   Here is what I did with it: