132 Quotes by Matthieu Ricard

We define empathy here as the ability to enter into affective resonance with the other’s feelings and to become cognitively aware of his situation. Empathy alerts us in particular to the nature and intensity of the sufferings experienced by the other. One could say that it catalyzes the transformation of altruistic love into compassion.

If you want to know the future, look at what is in your mind.

The only ‘failure’ of quantum theory is its inability to provide a natural framework for our prejudices.”1.

Confidence is closely linked to how well our perceptions match reality.

Demanding immediate results is an aspect of unsteadiness of mind or laziness.

Peace is not weak. Standing up to a tank is harder than dropping a suicide bomb.

The truth is that even if resentment is triggered by an external object, it is not located anywhere else but in our mind.

When hearing a door creak, the optimist thinks it’s opening and the pessimist thinks it’s closing.

Meditation gives you more inner strength and confidence, and if you don’t feel vulnerable, you can put that to the service of others. So it’s not just about sitting and cultivating caring mindfulness. It’s building up a way of being and then using it for the service of others.