How to Understand the Mind Quotes

“Problems arise only if we respond to difficult external situations with a negative state of mind. Therefore, if we really want to be free from problems we must learn to control our mind by controlling our desire.”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind

“The opposite of wisdom is ignorance. Nothing harms us more than ignorance – it is the source of all our problems and the root cause of all our negative actions of body, speech and mind. There is no better way to use our precious human life than to strive to overcome our ignorance, and the way to do this is to develop wisdom.”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind

“When our mind is free from the turbulence of distracting conceptions it becomes calm and smooth. When we are enjoying internal peace and happiness our craving for external sources of pleasure naturally declines and it is easy to remain content.”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind

“From giving comes wealth, From discipline comes happiness, From patience come attractive forms, From effort comes the fulfilment of wishes, From concentration comes peace, And from wisdom comes liberation.”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind

“In Precious Garland Nagarjuna says:”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind

“our worldly intelligence. Often criminals are highly intelligent and clever but because their aspirations are mistaken they commit crimes for which they are sent to prison.”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind

“A mistaken aspiration is any wish that is not consistent with our basic aspirations to experience happiness and avoid suffering, and a non-mistaken aspiration is one that is consistent with these basic aspirations. The difference between a wise person and a foolish person is his or her aspirations. Even if we have not studied extensively, if our aspiration is good and unmistaken we will naturally engage in virtuous actions, which will result in happiness; but if our aspirations are mistaken we will not succeed in finding happiness no matter how great”
― Kelsang Gyatso, How to Understand the Mind: The Nature and Power of the Mind