The Eight Worldly Winds: Fame and Disrepute

Among the eight “worldly winds”—also called obsessions, concerns, or preoccupations—the second pair, fame and disrepute, is perhaps the most identifiable as an obsession. None of us wants to be disregarded or discredited, shamed or condemned. All of us want some degree of fame, or at least to be seen, acknowledged, or maybe even admired. All eight winds rely on our belief in a solid, independent self—which needs to be constantly shored up and protected—but this pair kicks that belief into high gear. Fame, we think, shields us from irrelevance and, more importantly, from nonexistence. Deep down, our desire for recognition is protection from our ultimate fear—the fear of not being.

Understanding that both self and life are impermanent is key to working with this obsession. Instead of chasing safety where it cannot be found, we can accept that true safety lies in seeing our lives as they really are. Death isn’t a failure; it’s an integral part of living. And once we’ve begun to align ourselves with the fact that things constantly change—that we constantly change—we can take back our own power. Instead of letting others establish our self-worth, we can recognize that there’s nothing we need to earn, nothing we need to prove. We matter simply because we are, for as long as we are.

“Status arises for a well-instructed disciple of the noble ones. They reflect, ‘Status has arisen for me. It is inconstant, stressful, and subject to change.’ They discern it as it actually is. Disgrace arises for a well-instructed disciple of the noble ones. They reflect, ‘Disgrace has arisen for me. It is inconstant, stressful, and subject to change.’ They discern it as it actually is.”

–Lokavipatti Sutta

Tip: We’re relational beings, which means we all want to feel that we belong in our families, in our communities, with one another. But notice when this wish turns into a search for others’ approval and affirmation. Remind yourself that every single being is worthy of respect, of love, and even reverence. Why? Because every single one of us is a buddha.

 “My system is to eradicate the belief in the self, to cast the eight ordinary concerns to the winds, and to make the four demons feel embarrassed.”

–Milarepa

Tip: Sometimes it’s helpful to give form to our attachments so we can better see and work with them. When we think of our need for approval or recognition as a demon, we can more easily understand why it holds such power over us. But we can also keep this demon at bay by using a mantra (literally “mind protection”). For example: “I am perfect, I am worthy, I am lovable just as I am.”

 “Practicing dharma means transforming our mind. It doesn’t mean just looking on the outside like we’re a dharma practitioner. It means actually doing something with our mind. These eight [worldly concerns] are the foundation that we really have to work with.”

–Thubten Chodron

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Editor’s note: This is the second installment of our series on the eight worldly winds: gain and loss, fame and disrepute, praise and blame, and happiness and suffering. A printable version is available here. 

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