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Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama Quotes

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Famous Dalai Lama Quotes

“If we are demoralized, sad and only complain, we’ll not solve our problems. If we only pray for a solution, we’ll not solve our problems. We need to face them, to deal with them without violence, but with confidence - and never give up. If you adopt a non-violent approach, but are also hesitant within, you’ll not succeed. You have to have confidence and keep up your efforts - in other words, never give up.”

IfsNeedsGivingProblemFacesDealsEffortViolenceConfidencePrayingWords Of WisdomSadSucceedGiving UpApproachSolutionsSolveComplainingViolentSpiritual WisdomWithin YouNever Giving UpHave ConfidenceTibetanGiving Up Is Not An OptionNon ViolentHesitantDemoralized
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Through constant familiarity, we can definitely establish new behavior patterns, using our tendency to form habits to our advantage. If we make a steady effort, I think we can overcome any form of negative conditioning and make positive changes in our lives. But we need to remember that genuine change doesn't happen overnight.”

IfsThinkingNeedsHappensRememberFormEffortOur LivesHabitBehaviorAdvantageNegativeOvercomingConstantPersonal GrowthPatternsGenuineTendenciesSteadyFamiliarityConditioningPositive ChangeBehavior Patterns
Author:Dalai Lama
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“I am convinced that human nature is basically affectionate and good. If our behavior follows our kind and loving nature, immense benefits will result, not only for ourselves, but also for the society to which we belong. I generally refer to this sort of love and affection as a universal religion. Everyone needs it, believers as much as non-believers. This attitude constitutes the very basis of morality.”

IfsNeedsHumansKindResultsAttitudeHuman NatureWords Of WisdomMoralityBehaviorBenefitsUniversalBasesAffectionConvincedGoodBelieverBelongingImmenseWise Man Once SaidTibetanAffectionateNon BelieverLove And AffectionLoving Nature
Author:Dalai Lama
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“One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others. When we succeed in this, we find that the scale of our own problems diminishes. This is not to say we should ignore our own needs altogether, but rather that we should try to remember others' needs alongside our own, no matter how pressing ours may be”

WayNeedsShouldTryingMaySelfMatterProblemRememberAttentionFocusSucceedAnxietyOvercomingScalesDiminish
Book:The Essence Of Wisdom
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“If we human beings rely only on material development, we can’t be sure of a positive outcome. Employing technology motivated by anger and hatred is likely to be destructive. It will only be beneficial if we seek the welfare of all beings. Human beings are the only species with the potential to destroy the world. Because of the risks of unrestrained desire and greed we need to cultivate contentment and simplicity.”

IfsWorldNeedsHumansDesireHuman BeingsTechnologyRiskMaterialsDevelopmentHatredSpeciesGreedSimplicityWelfareOutcomesRelyDestructiveContentmentPotentialMotivatedBeing HumanBeneficialEmployingMaterialityPositive Outcome
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Study and practice are both very important, but they must go hand in hand. Faith without knowledge is not sufficient. Faith needs to be supported by reason. However intellectual understanding that is not applied in practice is also of little use. Whatever we learn from study we need to apply sincerely in our daily lives.”

NeedsLittlesImportantReasonUseHandsUnderstandingPracticeStudyWords Of WisdomIntellectualSufficientDaily LifeSincerelyHand In HandWise Man Once SaidTibetan
Author:Dalai Lama
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“Cultivating care and concern for others gives rise to a kind of inner strength. No matter what difficulties or problems you face, in this wider context they’ll seem less significant and troubling to you. The inner strength, self-confidence and courage you gain by focussing on others’ needs instead of your own, brings with it a deep, calm sense of satisfaction.”

NeedsGivingKindSelfMatterProblemSeemsCareFacesConfidenceGainsConcernDifficultyNo Matter WhatCalmSatisfactionSelf ConfidenceSignificantInner StrengthDeepCultivatingConcern For OthersConfidence And CourageCare And Concern
Author:Dalai Lama
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“When we are angry we are blind to reality. Anger may bring us a temporary burst of energy, but that energy is blind and it blocks the part of our brain that distinguishes right from wrong. To deal with our problems, we need to be practical and realistic. If we are to be realistic, we need to use our human intelligence properly, which means we need a calm mind.”

IfsNeedsMindHumansMayMeanUseProblemRealityEnergyDealsBrainBlindAngryCalmIntelligencePracticalsBlockTemporaryWrongRealisticAnger ManagementPracticalityHuman IntelligenceStay CalmEmotional EnergyCalm Mind
Author:Dalai Lama
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“We don’t need more money, we don’t need greater success or fame, we don’t need the perfect body or even the perfect mate-right now, at this very moment, we have a mind, which is all the basic equipment we need to achieve complete happiness.”

NeedsMindMomentsBodyPerfectGreaterAchieveRight NowFameMatesMore MoneyEquipmentComplete Happiness
Book:The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
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“Scientists may study mainly matter but they cannot ignore the human mind, or consciousness: spiritual practitioners may be engaging mainly in developing the mind but they cannot completely ignore their physical needs. It is for this reason that I have always stressed the importance of combining both mental and the material approach to achieving happiness for humankind.”

NeedsMindHumansMayMatterReasonSpiritualConsciousnessStudyAchieveMaterialsApproachScientistImportanceDevelopingHuman MindHumankindEngagingStressedCombiningAchieving Happiness
Book:MindScience: An East-West Dialogue
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“It is not enough to be compassionate. You must act. There are two aspects to action. One is to overcome the distortions and afflictions of your own mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventually dispelling anger. This is action out of compassion. The other is more social, more public. When something needs to be done in the world to rectify the wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefitting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.”

IfsWorldNeedsMindTwoDoneEnoughActionSocialTermCompassionInvolvedConcernedAspectOvercomingEngagedCompassionateAfflictionDistortionCalmingRectifyDispellingBenefiting Others
Author:Dalai Lama
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