Great changes start with individuals; the basis of world peace is inner peace in the hearts of individuals.
Interpretation
Change in the world begins with personal transformation and inner serenity.
This quote emphasizes the idea that significant transformations in society originate from individual actions and states of mind. The Dalai Lama underscores that for there to be global harmony and peace, individuals must cultivate peace within themselves, suggesting that personal improvement can lead to collective progress.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a talk about personal development and its impact on society.
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.
Our generation does not want its epitaph to read, 'We kept charity overhead low.' We want it to read that we changed the world.
We must recognize that we can't solve our problems now until there is a radical redistribution of economic and political power.... a radical restructuring of the architecture of American society.
But it did not all happen in a day, this giving over of himself, body and soul, to the man-animals. He could not immediately forego his wild heritage and his memories of the Wild. There were days when he crept to the edge of the forest and stood and listened to something calling him far and away.
She was so busy forgetting, she couldn't take a single step into the future.
Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.
The tragedy is not that things are broken. The tragedy is that things are not mended again.
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