What did Dalai Lama mean by:

Have no discrepancy between what you say, what you are and what you do.

People often ask:

How can we foster a deeper sense of authenticity in our daily lives?

In what ways does aligning our actions with our values influence our relationships?

What practices can we implement to enhance our self-awareness and ensure consistency between our words, actions, and identity?

The quote “Have no discrepancy between what you say, what you are and what you do” is a profound statement that calls for authenticity and integrity in our lives. It urges us to align our words, actions, and identity, encouraging us to be consistent in all aspects of our being.

The first part, ‘what you say,’ refers to our verbal communication. It’s about being honest and transparent in our speech, not saying things we don’t mean or making promises we can’t keep. The second part, ‘what you are,’ is about our inherent nature or character, our virtues, values, and beliefs. It’s about staying true to ourselves and not pretending to be someone we’re not. The third part, ‘what you do,’ refers to our actions. It’s about walking our talk, living out our values, and fulfilling our promises.

The quote essentially emphasizes the importance of congruence in our life. It’s about ensuring that our external expression, whether through words or actions, accurately reflects our internal reality. It’s about being the same person on the outside as we are on the inside.

In today’s world, where social media often encourages us to present an idealized version of ourselves and where political leaders sometimes make promises they don’t keep, this quote is particularly relevant. It reminds us to strive for authenticity rather than perfection, to value integrity over popularity, and to seek consistency rather than convenience.

In terms of personal development, this quote can serve as a guiding principle. It can encourage us to cultivate self-awareness, to reflect on whether our actions align with our values, and to make necessary adjustments if they don’t. It can also inspire us to communicate more honestly and transparently, to be more accountable for our actions, and to strive for authenticity in all areas of our lives. By aligning our words, actions, and identity, we can not only enhance our personal growth but also build trust and credibility in our relationships.