Praise and blame are two of the worldly concerns. When we do something appreciated by others and they praise us, we feel good about ourselves. We might even become addicted to this experience, repeating actions we hope will please our friends, family, colleagues, and bosses. Modern science has found that when we hear praise, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps us feel good. The practice involves learning to receive both praise and criticism with equanimity, using both as information rather than identity-defining experiences.

We might indulge in “fishing for praise,” talking about good things we’ve done, hoping others will notice and say something nice. We might become people-pleasers, identifying as someone who derives pleasure from serving others and seeing ourselves as helpers. Yet if we can see that we are even partially motivated by this rush of pleasure linked with praise, we are uncovering a habitual pattern that reinforces our sense of self, even though outwardly, it may be disguised as altruism.

If we make a mistake or act unskillfully, we might be blamed or held accountable for our actions. This can be an unpleasant experience, as it jeopardizes our sense of self-confidence. The experience of blame may trigger our tendency toward self-deprecation, causing us to replay negative thoughts about ourselves and creating even more mental suffering. If we fear blame, we may go to great lengths to avoid it.

Focusing on the experience of any of the eight worldly dharmas can lead to resistance and greater suffering. To practice with these habitual patterns, we recognize how hope and fear increase our suffering (dukkha). We can let go of attachment and fixation and view experiences as constantly changing (anicca), coming and going, while remembering that our sense of self is also a fleeting and changing experience (anatta).

It’s nice to applaud those who do good. Problems arise when we seek rewards for our good actions or fear consequences for our mistakes—hope and fear distort our ability to see things clearly. Only with equanimity can we be at ease, regardless of external circumstances.

Reflect on the experience of doing something and not receiving any praise. Notice when they are expecting applause, and explore what lies behind that expectation. Notice the subtle shift between when they have done something and begin to look around for recognition. Notice your internal reaction when receiving compliments versus criticism, observing the immediate bodily sensations before the mental story develops.

• What does it feel like to hear someone say nice things about you?

Analyze the role that praise and blame play in human motivation; evaluate the role of praise and blame in your own motivations; and aspire to act with a motivation free from craving approval or fearing criticism.