“Happiness is not an individual matter. When you are able to bring relief, or bring back the smile to one person, not only that person profits, but you also profit. The deepest happiness you can have comes from that capacity to help relieve the suffering of others. So if we have the habit of being peace, then there is a natural tendency for us to go in the direction of service. Nothing compels us, except the joy of sharing peace, the joy of sharing freedom from afflictions, freedom from worries, freedom from craving, which are the true foundations for happiness...
“And once we have the condition of peace and joy in us, we can afford to be in any situation. Even in the situation of hell, we will be able to contribute our peace and serenity. The most important thing is for each of us to have some freedom in our heart, some stability in our heart, some peace in our heart. Only then will we be able to relieve the suffering around us.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh, Inquiring Mind Magazine, Spring 1996
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2 comments:
I have had to endure suffering at times. It's made me a better person.
We all suffer to some degree every day. And many grow from our experiences into more wise and compassionate people while others of us turn bitter and less compassionate or maybe to drugs or some other coping mechanism to ease the suffering.
I think being fortunate to have someone comfort us during our suffering helps make us better persons, don’t you?
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