Compassion is the wish for another being to be free from suffering; love is wanting them to have happiness.
Interpretation
Compassion involves wishing others to be free from pain, while love adds the desire for their happiness.
In this quote, the Dalai Lama distinguishes between compassion and love by highlighting that compassion is primarily about the desire to alleviate suffering in others, whereas love encompasses a deeper wish for their overall happiness. This perspective encourages a more profound understanding of interpersonal relationships, suggesting that true affection includes a commitment to the well-being of others and a recognition of their suffering.
In practice
Use this quote during a speech on the importance of empathy in improving mental health.
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.
Everything we do is either an act of love or a cry for help.
But I love you, sir:_x000D_ _x000D_ And when a woman says she loves a man,_x000D_ _x000D_ The man must hear her, though he love her not.
Charity, patience and tenderness are very beautiful gifts. If you have them, you want to share them with others.
Every soul is to be cherished, every flower is to bloom.
Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is sign on as its accomplice.
You don't have to prove to me you're beautiful to strangers, I've got loving eyes of my own.
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