The Dalai Lama

I found this talk —resonating so much with me—by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Central Park, New York City, on August 15, 1999. I’d like to share below an excerpt from the transcript (emphasis mine):

If we have a positive mental attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace. On the other hand, if our mental attitude is more negative influenced by fear, suspicion, helplessness, or self-loathing, then even when surrounded by our best friends, in a nice atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, we shall not be happy. So, mental attitude is very important: it makes a real difference to our state of happiness.

I think it is wrong to expect that our problem can be solved by money or material benefit. It is unrealistic to believe that something positive can come about merely from something external. Of course, our material situation is important and helpful to us. However, our inner, mental attitudes are equally important—if not more so. We must learn to steer away from pursuing a life of luxury, as it is an obstacle to our practice.

It sometimes seems to me that it is the fashion for people to put too much emphasis on material development and neglect their inner values. We must therefore develop a better balance between material preoccupations and inner spiritual growth.

I'm also currently reading An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life (edited by Nicholas Vreeland). It's a thought-provoking book to be read slowly and reflectively.