I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment although it is generally present but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause ones projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever.  Dalai Lama quotes Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one. Anonymous quotes The great omission in American life is solitude. . . that zone of time and space, free from the outside pressures, which is the incinerator of the spirit. Anonymous quotes It is only after a fair portion of one's life that one really knows what are the things that matter, the things that will remain until the end. Anonymous quotes One of the characteristics of the dream is that nothing suprises us in it. With no regret, we agree to live in it with strangers, completely cut off from our habits and friends. Anonymous quotes Attitude is the way you mentally look at the world around you. It is how you view your environment and your future. It is the focus you develop toward life itself. Anonymous quotes Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Anonymous quotes These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves. Anonymous quotes I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me. Anonymous quotes I've been trying to find the word that says what I need to be in life. 'Brave' is the only word. It's the only thing that I ask myself to be. Anonymous quotes | 
