Verse 19 reminds me of the line in Star Wars when Han Solo tells Luke Skywalker, “Don’t get cocky, kid.” It reads,

Even when you are famous, honored by all

And as rich as the god of wealth himself,

Know that success in the world is ephemeral

And don’t let it go to your head= this is the practice of a bodhisattva.

Ken McLeod warns us that good fortune can put us to sleep. We can believe that our own choices or work effort has brought us success. We can see wealth as a sign of worth or virtue when it may just be plain old privilege and luck. Soon, we may start changing up how we engage life- more worried about protecting what we have than sharing it.

But here’s the wake=up call: nothing lasts forever. Our wealth, our reputation, our careers could disappear in a moment. McLeod writes, “Do not let prosperity and success fool you into thinking that you can avoid change.”

The Dalai Lama translates “ephemeral” in this verse as “essence-less.” Without essence. No heft. He suggests instead that we receive the wisdom of the Bodhicharyavatara which says, “Why like someone who praises you when there is bound to be someone else who despises you? Similarly, there’s no point in disliking someone who despises you because there are others who praise you.” Allowing praise and wealth and success to come and go actually grounds us in what matters most. Live in your essence. That is your only calling.

When we do have wealth and privilege and social success, we can use it to benefit others. Milarepa taught his followers to always choose generosity. When we know it’s fleeting, we can give it away more easily. And while we don’t expect it to stay, we also know it can be shared in a way that truly helps others. Generosity, as it turns out, is a powerful antidote to that desire to protect and defend.

How can you open your hands and hold your power more loosely (and also more faithfully) this week?

In other words, don’t get cocky, kid.