Non-violence means dialogue, using our language, the human language. Dialogue means compromise; respecting each other’s rights; in the spirit of reconciliation there is a real solution to conflict and disagreement. There is no hundred percent winner, no hundred percent loser—not that way but half-and-half. That is the practical way, the only way.
Interpretation
Non-violence emphasizes the importance of dialogue and compromise in resolving conflicts.
The Dalai Lama's quote articulates the essence of non-violence as a communicative approach that values dialogue as a means of resolving disputes. By advocating for compromise and respect for one another's rights, he highlights that true conflict resolution is about finding a balance where neither party emerges as an absolute victor or loser, but rather a shared understanding that prioritizes reconciliation and mutual respect.
In practice
This quote can be shared during a conflict resolution workshop to emphasize the importance of respectful dialogue.
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.
I want everybody to understand that I am an American Negro first before I am a member of any political party.
The real cure to immigration, obviously, is to make sure that there is prosperity around the world so that people don't have the motive. Not just prosperity, but freedom.
They will wait, well disposed, for others to remedy evil, that they may no longer have have it to regret.
In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage, to know who we are and where we came from.
Fairness is a concept that holds only in limited situations. Yet we want the concept to extend to everything, in and out of phase. From snails to hardware stores to married life. Maybe no one finds it, or even misses it, but fairness is like love. What is given has nothing to do with what we seek.
Hamilton had one of those extraordinary 18th-century minds that touched on virtually every major topic of the day.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.