I have many hopes for the world, but I try not to have any expectations. Whether I can actually fulfill my aspirations or not, I wish to let them shape me and guide my actions in the world. Focusing on achieving results can make us too attached to our goals. Our dreams do not necessarily have to be fulfilled in order for us to be happy. Nurturing hopes is meaningful in and of itself. It is worth working toward them, regardless of the outcome. When we make this shift away from results, we will find greater courage to act on our aspirations for the world. We will find our nobility of heart.

17th Karmapa

from the book The Heart Is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out

translated by Ngodup Tsering Burkhar & Damchö Diana Finnegan


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Further quotes from the book The Heart Is Noble:

• Social action
• Protective Inner Wisdom
• The Wealth of Contentment
• Life in Balance
• Boxing Love with Our Expectations
• Just Love
• Nothing is intrinsically bad
• There are no fixed starting points
• Difference without Division
• Breaking barriers
• Healthy relationships
• Just not been introduced before
• Take joy in your sincere intentions
• Authentic love toward others
• Expanding our sense of ourselves
• There are no fixed starting points
• Open-minded
• Our life is vast
• Greed is a recipe for dissatisfaction