Yogi: Why is shame so awful? What can I do to diminish it?

Sayadaw: Because it affects the self-image. The self-image we try so hard to build is shattered momentarily and we’re afraid other people will see the shattered self-image; and so it feels awful.

We try to keep ourselves looking good and when we feel that what we have done is not good then it feels horrible.

Yogi: What do you think about laughing about the embarrassing incident afterwards?

Sayadaw: That’s like redeeming the self-image. We try to feel good again like it’s not that bad.