I read this anecdote from someone who had attended a symposium where the Dalai Lama was speaking. At one point someone from the audience asked the Dalai Lama "Why didn't you fight back against the Chinese?" The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile, "Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back... but the heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you."
We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don't make peace with ourselves. World peace must develop out of inner peace.
~ The Dalai Lama
Like so many things, if you want to make a difference in the world, it helps to start small, with yourself and with your family. I am sometimes frustrated that there is so much war and suffering in the world and I feel helpless to do anything about it. I appreciate being reminded that I can focus on bringing peace into my own heart, being kinder and more patient in my actions, and promoting gentleness and awareness in my family. Sometimes it is in the form of eating less meat, sometimes in helping my daughter find ways to express herself without having a tantrum, or doing yoga (yes, yes, yes!!!). We are trying to embrace ahimsa (non-violence) in our family, and maybe those small and simple things we do will somehow radiate out into the world and contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere.
Namaste, my friends!
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