Bob Schwartz

It is Lunar New Year, celebrated in Asia and among Asian religions.

Unlike Western societies, there is not a tradition of making resolutions for the New Year.

If we do combine the New Year resolution practice with Buddhism though, here is one.

A core principle of Buddhism, and most expressly Tibetan Buddhism, is the theme of eliminating self-importance. Here are some of the ways that is expressed:

self-importance
self-grasping
self-cherishing
self-clinging
self-centeredness
self-concern
self-clinging
self-obsession
self-absorption

In overly simplistic terms from this non-expert: Suffering is a result of self-importance and there is a complex but certain path to eliminating self-importance. Simplistic, because the complicated ultimate realization aimed for is that there is no self—not as conventionally conceived—because like everything, it is empty, though not non-existent. No self, no self-importance.

Whatever path you are on, traditional or non-traditional, you might find that it includes movement away from self-importance (self-cherishing, self-clinging, etc.).

Maybe a resolution to eliminate or at least diminish self-importance could help you and help others. It is a New Year. You have nothing to lose but your self.