The concept of interdependence may seem jarring when we first apply it to ourselves personally. Sometimes when people first hear the idea that they are interdependent, they think that this somehow negates their individuality. This is far from the case. Our individuality is not threatened by interdependence. On the contrary, it is interdependence that has allowed us to develop the personality traits that define us in unique ways

17th Karmapa

from the book Interconnected: Embracing Life in Our Global Society

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Further quotes from the book Interconnected:

• The deeper common ground all living being share
• Collective actions and attitudes
• Delight in positive thoughts
• Gradual change
• Our intimate dependence on the natural environment
• Interdependent individuals
• Opening up to the view of interconnectedness
• A main condition for our selfishness
• Outer and inner world
• Self-reliance
• The best way to love oneself
• Everything and everyone is benefiting you
• Limitless aspirations
• When we ignore our interdependence
• Freedom
• We hold nothing back
• Keeping the door to improvement open
• Thinking about the consequences of our collective actions
• Naturalness
• The workings of interdependence