Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation that helps realise your ideal of compassion.
Nhat HanhRead
In modern society most of us don't want to be in touch with ourselves; we want to be in touch with other things like religion, sports, politics, a book - we want to forget ourselves. Anytime we have leisure, we want to invite something else to enter us, opening ourselves to the television and telling the television to come and colonize us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights how people often disconnect from their true selves in favor of external distractions.
Nhat Hanh's quote suggests that in contemporary life, many individuals avoid self-reflection and introspection by immersing themselves in various external activities and distractions. Instead of nurturing a connection with their inner selves, they seek engagement with distractions like entertainment, religion, or politics, which can lead to a superficial existence. This reflects a broader societal tendency to prioritize external validation and experiences over personal awareness and self-discovery.
Themes
Self-AwarenessDistractionIntrospectionSocietyDisconnection
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the effects of technology on mental health, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of self-reflection.
More from Nhat Hanh
All quotes →I have lost my smile, but don't worry. The dandelion has it.
Nhat HanhRead
I realize that many elements of the Buddhist teaching can be found in Christianity, Judaism, Islam. I think if Buddhism can help, it is the concrete methods of practice.
Nhat HanhRead
Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to support any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
Nhat HanhRead
The therapist does not treat patients by simply giving them another set of beliefs. He or she tries to help them see which kinds of ideas and beliefs have led to their suffering. Many patients want to get rid of their painful feelings, but they do not want to get rid of their beliefs, the viewpoints that are the very roots of their feelings.
Nhat HanhRead
Scientists tell us that we have enough technology to save our planet. . . . Yet we don't take advantage of this new technology. . . . The technological has to work hand-in-hand with the spiritual. Our spiritual life is the element that can bring about the energies of peace, calm, brotherhood, understanding, and compassion. Without that, our planet doesn't stand a chance.
Nhat HanhRead
Similar quotes
If there is some corner of the world which has remained peaceful, but with a peace based on injustices the peace of a swamp with rotten matter fermenting in its depths - we may be sure that that peace is false. Violence attracts violence. Let us repeat fearlessly and ceaselessly: injustices bring revolt, either from the oppressed or from the young, determined to fight for a more just and more human world.
Hlder CmaraRead
We're all worth the same_x000D_ When we turn off the light.
Shel SilversteinRead
Everything that is happening at this moment is a result of the choices you've made in the past.
Deepak ChopraRead
Dying is nothing to fear. It can be the most wonderful experience of your life. It all depends on how you've lived.
Elisabeth Kubler-RossRead
We need language to tell us who we are, how we feel, what we're capable of- to explain the pains and glory of our existence.
Maya AngelouRead
I have a hard time figuring out what kind of box to put me in, too, because I don't know exactly what's going on around me or why. But I need to stay outside of boxes because then I can look at what's inside of them without being part of them.
Jordan PetersonRead