I have noticed that sometimes people speak of our planet as a thing. This attitude will not lead to the feelings of closeness and affection that would move us to take care of the earth. As we know, the earth is not a dead rock floating in space. It is a living system, in itself as a whole and in each and every part. I do not see the earth as an inanimate object – a lump of stone. I think of it as being alive. Sitting on the earth, I feel that everything exists. In this way, we could easily think of the earth as a goddess – a living, breathing, and constantly giving goddess.
17th Karmapa
from the book The Heart Is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out
translated by Ngodup Tsering Burkhar & Damchö Diana Finnegan
Read a random quote or see all quotes by the 17th Karmapa.
Further quotes from the book The Heart Is Noble:
- Greed is a recipe for dissatisfaction
- Balanced Life
- Distinguishing between wants and needs
- Disconnected from our own noble heart
- Boxed limitless potential
- A noble vision
- My trust is a gift
- The intention to work for others
- Look what he did
- Loving Responsibility
- Making healthy relationships possible
- Authentic love
- Facing Impermanence Wisely
- The kindness we receive from others
- Our relationship to the material world
- We truly have everything we need already
- Capacity for Change
- Who are you
- Let the moon be the keeper of my love
- True Wealth