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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.

Matthieu Ricard

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Matthieu Ricard
Age: 78
Born: 1946
Born: February 15
Bhikkhu
Geneticist
Monk
Philosopher
Photographer
Translator
Writer
Human
Essentials
Humans
Remains
Optional
Must
Terms
Adopting
Make
General
Aims
People
Becoming
Distinguish
Term
Aim
Religion
Spirituality
Better
Essential

More quotes by Matthieu Ricard

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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.
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Various studies indicate that with age people gain more wisdom about life and are somehow happier than younger people. This is especially true if, as we age, we learn how to become more generous, altruistic, and peaceful.
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If you don't have altruism, inner strength, inner peace, attention, then it's a trauma. It makes a difficult life for you and for others.
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Happiness is a state of inner fulfillment, not the gratification of inexhaustible desires for outward things.
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Placebos are like the lollipop of optimism, but we can do much better by dealing directly with the mind... And it works!
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The Dalai Lama has been extremely interested in science since his childhood.
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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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Wisdom and compassion should become the dominating influences that guide our thoughts , our words, and our actions.
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Meditation gives you more inner strength and confidence, and if you don't feel vulnerable, you can put that to the service of others. So it's not just about sitting and cultivating caring mindfulness. It's building up a way of being and then using it for the service of others.
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The way you experience [pain] can change so much depending on your attitude.
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When you see those in healthcare who don't get this burn-out, they are very motherly, fatherly, or loving and attentive with the patients. [These] wonderful caretakers, doctors, and nurses don't get as much burn-out as people who are more defensive of the feelings and suffering of others.
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Peace is not weak. Standing up to a tank is harder than dropping a suicide bomb
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It's not the magnitude of the task that matters, it's the magnitude of our courage.
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We have known about the placebo effect for many years. This is a remarkable effect - placebo can cure 30 percent in many cases.
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Nothing goes right on the outside when nothing is going right on the inside.
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Just be free, and at least you will go through adversity with a stronger mind, and therefore, you'll be less affected, and pain will affect you less.
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Mind training is based on the idea that two opposite mental factors cannot happen at the same time. You could go from love to hate. But you cannot, at the same time - toward the same object, the same person - want to harm and want to do good.
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Happiness is the result of inner maturity. It depends on us alone, and requires patient work, carried out from day to day. Happiness must be built, and this requires time and effort. In the long term, happiness and unhappiness are therefore a way of being, or a life skill.
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Authentic happiness is not linked to an activity, it is a state of being.
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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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