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March 30 - October 7, 2017
Mudita is based on the recognition of our interdependence, or Ubuntu.
When we remember our interdependence, we discover
we are so incredibly large and strong. “There
Once you’re able to develop that sense of common humanity and the oneness of humanity, then naturally you will want all others to be free from suffering and enjoy happiness. The desire for happiness is a natural instinct
for our mental health also, the earlier we start practicing preventive measures,
the easier and more effective they are. When
“When you got your freedom, you really felt joyous. Now the new generation, who are born after, they don’t know the true joy of freedom, and complain more.”
“Many people think of suffering as a problem,” the Dalai Lama said. “Actually, it is an opportunity destiny has given to you. In spite of difficulties and suffering, you can remain
firm and maintain your composure.”
more difficulties you encounter, then when you see some results, the greater the joy.
“Removing the dross,” the Archbishop continued, “and learning, yes, to put yourself in the shoes of the other.
could hear a gasp in the room at this extraordinary statement, that the greatest danger for this man had been the risk of losing his compassion, losing his heart, losing his humanity.
“passing through difficulties.”
He made a powerful distinction between healing and curing: Curing involves the resolution of the illness but was not always possible. Healing, he said, was coming to wholeness and could happen whether or not the illness was curable.
Curing involves the resolution of the illness but was not always possible. Healing, he said, was coming to wholeness and could happen whether or not the illness was curable.
Many psychologists say that the fear of death lies behind all other fears, and many historians of religion argue that religion arose to try to solve the mystery of death.
In fact, as the Buddha reminds us, the very causes that have given rise to something, such as our life, have created the mechanism, or the seed, for that thing’s eventual end.
profound teaching by an ancient Tibetan master: The true measure of spiritual development is how one confronts one’s own mortality. The best way is when one is able to approach death with joy; next best way is without fear; third best way is at least not to have regrets.
ancient Tibetan master:
The true measure of spiritual development is how one confronts ...
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there is a way to overcome the situation, then instead of feeling too much sadness, too much fear, or too much anger, make an effort to change the situation.
“There’s a dissolution that occurs as the grosser levels of our bodily and mental states come to an end, and when more and more subtle levels become manifest.
“So, in Buddhist thought,” the Dalai Lama explained, “we speak of death, intermediate state, and rebirth. In my case, I undertake this kind of meditation five times in a day, so on a daily basis, I kind of go through death and rebirth—five times I leave and five times I come back.
The real secret of freedom may simply be extending this brief space between stimulus and response.
Marriages, even the best ones—perhaps especially the best ones—are an ongoing process of spoken and unspoken forgiveness.
The Archbishop and the Dalai Lama are truly two of the most inclusive religious figures in the world, and throughout the week the theme underlying their teachings was about transcending our narrow definitions and finding love and compassion for all of humanity.
on eight pillars of joy. Four were qualities of the mind: perspective, humility, humor, and acceptance. Four were qualities of the heart: forgiveness, gratitude, compassion, and generosity.
our ability to reframe our situation more positively.
“With our mind we create our own world.”
Eger often quotes fellow Auschwitz survivor Viktor Frankl, who said that our perspective toward life is our final and ultimate freedom.
while changing our emotions is quite hard, changing our perspective is actually relatively easy.
• The Dalai Lama used the terms wider perspective and larger perspective
week. But if we try, we can become less fixated, or attached, to use the Buddhist term, to one outcome and can use more skillful means to handle the situation.
even though our situation may seem challenging now, from the vantage point of a month or a year or a decade these challenges will seem much more manageable.
Self-centeredness is most of our default perspective.
Taking a “God’s-eye perspective,” as the Archbishop might say, allows us to transcend our limited identity and limited self-interest.
I and me—are more likely to be depressed than people who more often use first-person plural—we and us. This was interesting evidence that being too self-regarding really does make us unhappy.
the wider perspective leads to serenity and
equanimity. It does not mean we don’t have the strength to confront a problem, but we can confront it with creativity and compassion rather than rigidity and reactivity.
insecurity. Needing to feel that we are bigger than others comes from a nagging fear that we are smaller.
I was attempting to do something I had never done before, and whenever we challenge ourselves, fear and doubt are inevitable. I am not sure we ever vanquish these voices.
If you realize that you are inadequate in some way, then you develop effort. If you think, everything is fine and I’m okay just as I am, then you will not try to develop further.
There is a Tibetan saying that wisdom is like rainwater—both gather in the low places.
There is another saying that when the spring bloom comes, where does it start? Does it start on...
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wholehearted laughter—not artificial laughter—is very good for your heart and your health in general.”
“People who are always laughing have a sense of abandon and ease.
“Ultimately, I think it’s about being able to laugh at yourself and being able not to take yourself so seriously. It’s not about the belittling humor that puts others down and yourself up. It’s about bringing
people onto common ground.
The humor that doesn’t demean is an invitation to everyone to join in the laughter.
Laugh at yourself and don’t be so pompous and serious. If you start looking for the humor in life, you will find it. You will stop asking, Why me? and start recognizing that life happens to all of us.
