I think there's every reason this 21st century will be much happier.
Interpretation
The quote expresses optimism for a happier future in the 21st century.
The Dalai Lama anticipates that advancements and changes in the 21st century will lead to greater happiness among people. This implies a belief in the potential for positive societal growth and the capacity of humanity to improve its well-being through kindness, understanding, and mutual respect.
In practice
During a conference on well-being, the speaker quoted the Dalai Lama to emphasize the positive potential of the new century.
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.
There is no end of craving. Hence contentment alone is the best way to happiness. Therefore, acquire contentment.
Don't evaluate your life in terms of achievements, trivial or monumental, along the way... Instead, wake up and appreciate everything you encounter along your path. Enjoy the flowers that are there for your pleasure. Tune in to the sunrise, the little children, the laughter, the rain, and the birds. Drink it all in... there is no way to happiness; happiness is the way.
There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them.
The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring. And that is not happiness.
The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular cause for being happy except that they are so.
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.
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