Hope is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. Vaclav Hava
love
Where there is love there is no imposition. Albert Einstein
compassion
A human being is a part of the whole called by us the universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Albert Einstein
compassion
Compassion does manifest spontaneously when resting in awareness... Although it is taught that compassion should be unartificial, uncontrived, in the beginning it is necessary to fabricate slightly. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
compassion and emptiness
We can know emptiness. We can know compassion. But if we don't know the indivisibility of emptiness and compassion, it's hard to get through life smoothly ... It is not enough to understand emptiness and the general pointlessness of things, because then we may become selfish and apathetic... [thinking] what's the point of watering the garden? I have to do it again tomorrow anyway, it's never enough. And if I clean now it just gets dirty later... nothing really matters to me I'll just sit and practice... This kind of attitude is actually quite selfish ... If there was more compassion, [one] would realize that although certain things may be pointless, it's not necessary to avoid doing them just because they don't mean anything to oneself. They may be important to others, so why not just do them?... Without understanding emptiness, compassion can never be authentic. There's a very high chance we will confuse compassion with downright attachment and desire. One thinks that one's passion, that one's attachment to others and caring for others is true compassion. Actually, our ordinary version of compassion and affection is selfish in a way, because it my family, I care fro them. [True] compassion is not latching on to something and not wanting to let go even if it is for a good cause. True compassion is a very open and free atmosphere. Tsoknyi Rinpoche (Carefree Dignity)
reliable happiness
If we want to find reliable happiness ... we must move from trying to control the uncontrollable cycles of pleasure and pain and instead learn to connect, to open to love, no matter what is happening, full of gratitude and free of anger and fear. Sharon Salzberg
misery and happiness
The difference between misery and happiness depends on what we do with our attention Sharon Salzberg
wings of compassion
It is compassion that removes the heavy bar, opens the door to freedom, makes the narrow heart as wide as the world. Compassion takes away from the heart the inert weight, the paralyzing heaviness; it gives wings to those who cling to the lowlands of self. Nyanaponika Thera
difficult people
In our daily activities all of us are confronted with other people and often with those whom we would rather rather avoid. These are challenges, lessons and tests. If we consider them in that manner we wont be so irritated by these experiences .. When we realize that such a confrontation is exactly what we need at that moment in order to overcome resistance and negativity and substitute metta for these emotions, then we will be grateful for the opportunity. Ayya Khema
joy
Live in joy, in love, even among those those who hate.
Live in joy, in health, even among the afflicted.
Live in joy, in peace, even among the troubled...
Health, contentment and trust are your greatest possessions and freedom your greatest joy...
Look within. Be still. Free from fear and attachment. Know the sweet joy of the way.
The Buddha