Quote

By breaking down our sense of self-importance, all we lose is a parasite that has long infected our minds. What we gain in return is freedom, openness of mind, spontaneity, simplicity, altruism: all qualities inherent in happiness.

Matthieu Ricard

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Matthieu Ricard
Age: 78
Born: 1946
Born: February 15
Bhikkhu
Geneticist
Monk
Philosopher
Photographer
Translator
Writer
Loses
Gain
Parasites
Mind
Simplicity
Altruism
Quality
Buddhism
Spontaneity
Suffering
Gains
Openness
Happiness
Minds
Mindfulness
Freedom
Importance
Inherent
Sense
Return
Breaking
Parasite
Self
Lose
Qualities
Infected
Long

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The basic root of happiness lies in our minds outer circumstances are nothing more than adverse or favourable.
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For a few moments, be aware of your potential for change. Whatever your present situation is, evolution and transformation are always possible. At the least, you can change your way of seeing things and then, gradually, your way of being as well.
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To love oneself is to love life. It is essential to understand that we make ourselves happy in making others happy.
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You can't be at the same time a spiritual master and someone who is always angry. It doesn't work.
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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.
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Good and evil exist only in terms of the happiness or suffering they create in ourselves and others
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Nothing goes right on the outside when nothing is going right on the inside.
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[You] can dramatically change [your emotions] to be more altruistic, more loving, more compassionate, more attentive, and especially to have an inner sort of confidence and strength that you know that you have the resources to deal with whatever comes your way.
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Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment, not the gratification of inexhaustible desires for outward things.
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