"To foster inner awareness, introspection,
and reasoning is more efficient than meditation and prayer. Right from the moment
of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents and then later
on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again
dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives
we are so dependent on others' kindness, how can it be that in the middle we
neglect kindness toward others?
"Scientific research and development should work together with meditative
research development since both are concerned with similar objects. The one
proceeds through experiment by instruments and the other through inner experience
and meditation. A clear distinction should be made between what is not found
by science and what is found to be nonexistent by science. What science finds
to be nonexistent, we must accept as nonexistent; but what science merely does
not find is a completely different matter It is quite clear that there are many,
many mysterious things.
"To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than
to be aware of a thousand in somebody else. Rather than speaking badly about
people and in ways that will produce friction and unrest in their lives, we
should practice a purer perception of them, and when we speak of others, speak
of their good qualities. If you find yourself slandering anybody, first imagine
that your mouth is filled with excrement. It will break you of the habit quickly
enough.
"If you are mindful of death, it will not come as a surprise you will not
be anxious. You will feel that death is merely like changing your clothes. Consequently,
at that point you will be able to maintain your calmness of mind.
"I love friends, I want more friends. I love smiles. That is a fact. How
to develop smiles? There are a variety of smiles. Some smiles are sarcastic.
Some smiles are artificial diplomatic smiles. These smiles do not produce satisfaction,
but rather fear or suspicion. But a genuine smile gives us hope, freshness.
If we want a genuine smile, then first we must produce the basis for a smile
to come."
The Dalai Lama