“We must distinguish between spirituality in general terms, which aims to make us better people, and religion. Adopting a religion remains optional, but becoming a better human being is essential.” PeopleHumansSpiritualityTermHuman BeingsBecomingEssentialsAimRemainsAdoptingOptional Book:The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet Source: The Quantum and the Lotus: A Journey to the Frontiers Where Science and Buddhism Meet
“[Some of the people I'd met] were wonderful people as human beings, and some people were more difficult. I could not see a correlation between their particular genius in playing chess and music and mathematics, etc. ... with human qualities. Some were really good, wonderful people, and some were difficult characters, but there was no clear correlation. But when I met some spiritual masters, [I thought that] there had to be a correlation, and it turned out to be true.” PeopleHumansCharacterSpiritualDifficultHuman BeingsQualityClearWonderfulParticularMastersGeniusMetsMathematicsChessBeing TrueEtcCorrelationHuman QualitiesPlaying ChessSpiritual Masters Author:Matthieu Ricard
“If contemplation of other people's pain just increases distress, then I think we should see it in another way. If we don't center too much on ourselves, then [we] increase our courage and our determination to remedy the pain, not our distress. If we have unconditional compassion, then it increases our courage. So that's the difference, self-centered motivation versus altruistic motivation.” PeopleIfsThinkingWayShouldSelfPainMotivationDifferencesCompassionToo MuchDeterminationIncreaseContemplationRemedyDistressVersusUnconditionalAnother WaySelf Centered Author:Matthieu Ricard
“When you see those in healthcare who don't get this burn-out, they are very motherly, fatherly, or loving and attentive with the patients. [These] wonderful caretakers, doctors, and nurses don't get as much burn-out as people who are more defensive of the feelings and suffering of others.” PeopleFeelingsSufferingWonderfulDoctorsPatientNurseHealthcareBurn OutSuffering Of OthersCaretakersMotherlyDoctors And Nurses Author:Matthieu Ricard
“Various studies indicate that with age people gain more wisdom about life and are somehow happier than younger people. This is especially true if, as we age, we learn how to become more generous, altruistic, and peaceful.” PeopleIfsAgeStudyGainsVariousPeacefulGenerous Author:Matthieu Ricard
“Children, old people, vagabonds laugh easily and heartily: they have nothing to lose and hope for little. In renunciation lies a delicious taste of simplicity and deep peace.” PeopleChildrenLittlesWisdomLyingSufferingLosesLaughingBuddhismTasteSimplicityDeliciousOld PeopleRenunciationNothing To LoseVagabonds Author:Matthieu Ricard
