Umbonia crassicornis, a brightly-colored, tropical insect, can be recognized by its thorn-like shape. Clustered on branches of ornamentals or fruit trees, their spiky shells can easily be mistaken for part of the plant. Thorn bugs may initially appear as an innocuous oddity with a unique method of camouflage. Yet these insects don’t just gather on the stems – they suck the sap from them. They make cuts in the plant tissue and deposit their eggs, creating more little mouths that will cause further damage to the tree or shrub. In the same way, our endeavors may look impressive on the outside while our true intent is camouflaged. Looking beneath what is superficial may reveal an attempt to manipulate a situation to our advantage. Consumed with the result we want, the outcome can become more important than what we’re doing or who is involved. But self-serving behavior merely develops self-centered muscles, leaving altruistic ones to atrophy. Like the plant attacked by pests, we may find such 'twists' of behavior only stunt rather than advance our spiritual growth.
Acting with a twist is a form of spiritual materialism. It is always having the ulterior motive of working for your own benefit. ~ Chogyam Trungpa
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