I think I am falling in a trap, lately. I tend to have a hard time relating with people when they talk about their struggles and problems. I feel like I can clearly see through their crap and often point out ways of how they are being dishonest to themselves instead of taking responsibility. I tend to do this instead of showing acceptance and compassion towards them. I am assuming that I know how they would be better off and that I have to behave as their teacher. I think that I am being honest, yet at times, this behaviour makes it hard to relate to people. Has anybody else experienced this at some point? I think the broader question is, how to effectively balance honesty and compassion?

Hey guys, So I had a hit on something today while I was playing my guitar by the pond. I think I heard Peter mention somewhere something about keeping his "self" out of an activity, (although if I remember correctly, it was in reference to writing a book, so take that how you may if it's any different or how it is.) But what I'm trying to move towards is the art of "giving being" or "lending being" to some sort of activity or process. That is, really showing up, being present there for that, being present, fully. When the mind goes down those "crooked" little self inflicting modes of trying to "manipulate," or lie, or just the "small place" in general, the attention is divided in a sense, and you don't fully participate in the activity. It seems you don't really show up powerfully, for that activity or really anything for that matter. Because you're not just engaging in and doing the thing, you're doing "something else," and using that activity as a vehicle or "weapon," or even just having divided attention, trying to do the activity and "something else" as well, so it doesn't seem to fully have your participation. It seems when you can drop that fully, you really show up and are present by nature. And probably make much better art. Or relate more effectively. Not to mention just abiding in this state is very rewarding in and of itself. The mind feels more authentic and creative, and it opens up the possibility to live more from this state, as well as apply it, or really I should say yourself, to other things, without so much "self" and can be more authentic, creative, and free from that dynamic. Seems to beat the alternative