Gross conceptions are easy to recognise because they are so gross, and consequently they do not create such an obstacle. Politicians, especially very high-level politicians, often look like siddhas, realised men. They have a very austere demeanour and do not speak much. They consider everything carefully; and what they do say, they say precisely. They maintain an inscrutable and enigmatic pose, and one can never divine their feelings. They can seem peaceful and happy no matter how bad the circumstances, and can be extremely angry about something but still appear unruffled. By contrast, a good number of siddhas have no cares for anything in the world, yet are quite openly obstreperous.

There are also Dharma politicians, and some of them may also look as if they have a high level of realisation. They speak softly, conduct themselves well, and are very careful and considerate. They always look as if they are happy. In the case of both ordinary politicians and Dharma politicians, their outer appearance does not correspond at all to their real state of mind. There are many subtle and deep flaws in their minds, which do not receive any outward expression. People who are politically active have to be careful not to insult or denigrate others openly. Nevertheless, they often do so unintentionally. When a politician is praising somebody, one can often see that his praise is actually an insult. This occurs even in Dharma politics. Members of one sect will never disparage another sect, but the tone of their praise will show what they are really thinking. In the same way, gross conceptions are very easy to apprehend in meditation and one can understand them right away, but subtle conceptions are much more difficult to apprehend.

-- Thinley Norbu Rinpoche