Realm of wisdom's Key Ideas from I May Be Wrong
by Björn Natthiko Lindeblad

Most of the psychological suffering we humans experience is voluntary and self-inflicted.

We believe in thoughts that want to harm us.

It’s there, in our minds, that our suffering is created; that’s where it lives and thrives.

You shouldn’t believe your every thought.

‘Knowledge is proud of all it knows. Wisdom is humble before all it doesn’t know.’

There’s value in not getting stuck in a state of certainty.

If we always cling to what we think we already know, how will we ever discover anything new?

How can we learn?

‘The next time you sense a conflict brewing, when you feel things are about to come to a head with someone, just repeat this mantra to yourself three times, sincerely and convincingly – in any language you want – and your worries will evaporate, like dew from the grass on a summer morning.’

‘I may be wrong. I may be wrong. I may be wrong.’

Thoughts with the word ‘should’ in them make me small, dull and lonely.

Clench your fist hard, then relax it into an open hand.

It’s simple, but it’s a good illustration of how we can let go of things we cling to too hard: things, feelings, convictions.

1. Loving-kindness.
2. Compassion
3. Muditā – humanity’s inherent capacity to feel joy at our own and others’ success.
4. Upekkha - ‘You always have to start with yourself.’ Your compassion for others will always fall short and remain fragile, so long as you’re unable to extend it to yourself first.

There’s value in not deceiving others for our own gain, in not hurting others because it serves our purposes at the time, in avoiding bending or twisting the truth because it’s more convenient.

Something beautiful starts to happen when we actively choose to take responsibility for what we say and do.

What happens when we genuinely, with our entire being, understand that we don’t have each other forever?

We no longer have time for half-measures.

One day, we’re going to have to say goodbye – to every single person who means something to us.

There’s only one way to approach other people and life itself: gently.