“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.”

~Dalai Lama

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“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”

~Steve Jobs

This image was sent to me this morning and my first response was somewhat defensive, something along the lines of, “Steve touched the lives of so many, his work effected me personally. This is why we collectively felt a loss in his passing.” Sure, easy. But how do I change my own narrative about those millions of “others” that I will never meet, that will likely never have a direct impact on my life. How do I expand my own view of the world to include their lives so much that I am compelled to act on their behalf. Is my own humanity expanding at the same rate as my awareness of the world and it’s sorrows?  This I believe is one of the most important questions of our time. Not looking for answers, only opportunities to act.

 

“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 mind, that is, in terms of calming and eventualy 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 wrongs, if one is really concerned with benefiting others, one needs to be engaged, involved.

As human brothers and sisters, I have a feeling that deep down we are all the same human beings. Therefore, it is quite natural that when some human brothers and sisters suffer, then other brothers and sisters spontaneously develop some kind of sincere feeling or concern. At this moment I find this very much alive. I consider this a hope for the future.”

~His Holiness, the Dalai Lama