As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-love and compassion towards others.
In this quote, the Dalai Lama invites us to recognize our own worth and treat ourselves with kindness as we breathe in, while simultaneously extending that same kindness and compassion to all living beings as we breathe out. It highlights the interconnectedness of self-care and empathy, suggesting that cherishing oneself can lead to a greater capacity to cherish others.
In practice
In a meditation session, you could share this quote to encourage participants to focus on self-compassion.
Human beings are not intrinsically selfish, which isolates us from others. We are essentially social animals who depend on others to meet our needs. We achieve happiness, prosperity and progress through social interaction. Therefore, having a kind and helpful attitude contributes to our own and others' happiness.
Material objects give rise to physical happiness, while spiritual development gives rise to mental happiness. Since we experience both physical and mental happiness, we need both material and spiritual development. This is why, for our own good and that of society we need to balance material progress with inner development.
All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.
The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves. On a simple level we find that if we have a compassionate heart we naturally have more friends. And scientists today are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health.
My religion is kindness. _x000D_ A good mind, a good heart, _x000D_ warm feelings these are _x000D_ the most important things.
If a person's basic state of mind is serene and calm, then it is possible for this inner peace to overwhelm a painful physical experience. On the other hand, if someone is suffering from depression, anxiety, or any form of emotional distress, then even if he or she happens to be enjoying physical comforts, he will not really be able to experience the happiness that these could bring.
The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.
He who cannot find time to consult his Bible will one day find he has time to be sick; he who has no time to pray must find time to die; he who can find no time to reflect is most likely to find time to sin; he who cannot find time for repentance will find an eternity in which repentance will be of no avail; he who cannot find time to work for others may find an eternity in which to suffer for himself.
If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.
Spare yourselves from the indulgence of self-pity. It is always self-defeating. Subdue the negative and emphasize the positive.
Condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance
The future will show whether my foresight is as accurate now as it has proved heretofore.
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