flowthyself on Nostr: Seneca says, “How do I know that I have been making progress?” I have begun to be ...

Seneca says, “How do I know that I have been making progress?” I have begun to be a friend to myself”

Have you been progressing?

मैत्री — Maitrī (MY-tree)

Meaning: loving-kindness, friendliness, benevolence — especially toward oneself and all beings.

In yogic philosophy, maitrī is the quality of inner friendliness that arises as the mind becomes more balanced and compassionate. It’s not forced positivity — it’s the natural warmth that appears when inner conflict softens. In the Yoga Sutras (1.33), Patanjali teaches:

maitrī karuṇā muditā upekṣāṇāṁ…
Cultivate friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

Maitrī is listed first — because self-friendship stabilizes the whole inner world.

True progress on the path…
is when the war inside begins to soften —
and maitrī, deep friendliness toward yourself, starts to bloom.