If we can manage to refrain from harming others in our everyday actions and words, we can start to give more serious attention to actively doing good, and this can be a source of great joy and inner confidence. We can benefit others through our actions by being warm and generous toward them, by being charitable, and by helping those in need.
Interpretation
Kindness and generosity in our actions contribute to joy and confidence.
This quote emphasizes the importance of not only avoiding harm to others but also engaging in positive actions that can uplift both ourselves and those around us. By practicing kindness and generosity, we can create a positive impact in our communities, leading to greater personal fulfillment and joy.
In practice
In a speech about community service, I quoted the Dalai Lama to inspire volunteers.
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.
You are free, but you have to choose. An open oven bakes no bread
When the world is storm-driven and bad things happen, then we need to know all the strong fortresses of the spirit which men have built through the ages.
The most baleful mischiefs may be expected from the unmanly conduct of not daring to face truth because it is unpleasing.
You can attract more bees with a spoonful of sugar than a cupful of vinegar.
Age carries all things away, even the mind.
It is far better to do the right thing wrong than to do the wrong thing right.
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