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Quote by Rachel Naomi Remen

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Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories that Heal, 10th Anniversary Edition

This 10th anniversary edition features a compilation of stories that delve into the profound impact of sharing life experiences, fostering empathy, and strengthening human connections. more

Author

Rachel Naomi Remen
Rachel Naomi Remen

Rachel Naomi Remen (born February 8, 1938) is an American physician, author, and spiritual teacher. Surviving cancer as a child, she developed a unique perspective on healing and life meaning. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, she worked in conventional medicine before turning to holistic healing approaches. Her bestselling book "Kitchen Table Wisdom" (1994) shares touching stories from her medical practice and has inspired millions worldwide. Remen emphasizes the integration of body, mind, and spirit in healing, advocating for compassionate, patient-centered care that values listening and presence. more

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“I find it difficult to feel responsible for the suffering of others. That's why I find war so hard to bear. It's the same with animals: I feel the less harm I do, the lighter my heart. I love a light heart. And when I know I'm causing suffering, I feel the heaviness of it. It's a physical pain. So it's self-interest that I don't want to cause harm.”

“We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of love and compassion. This, then, is my true religion, my simple faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need.”

“My call for a spiritual revolution is not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow otherworldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather it is a call for a radical reorientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self. It is a call to turn toward the wider community of beings with whom we are connected, and for conduct which recognizes others' interests alongside our own.”

“Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It's not what they're not doing or should be doing that's the issue. The issue is your own chosen response to the situation and what you should be doing. If you start to think the problem is "out there," stop yourself. That thought is the problem.”

“Western liberal humanism is not something that comes naturally to us: like an appreciation of art or poetry, it has to be cultivated. Humanism is itself a religion without God-not all religions, of course, are theistic. Our ethical secular ideal has it's own disciplines of mind and heart and gives people the means of finding faith in the ultimate meaning of human life that were once provided by the more conventional religions.”