We human beings are all parts of the same body. Just because we do not wish to acknowledge another person’s importance does not mean that this person is unimportant to our well-being. Just because we do not wish to acknowledge what we share with others does not mean that we can separate ourselves from them. Interdependence is an inescapable truth of our existence.
Of course, we are not all identical. Because certain differences do exist between us, we all have something to offer each other. We can work together making our diverse and complementary contributions. Because we are all part of the same social body, it is in our own best interest to assure that we can all function well together.
17th Karmapa
from the book The Heart Is Noble: Changing the World from the Inside Out
Read a random quote or see all quotes by the 17th Karmapa.
Further quotes from the book The Heart Is Noble:
- We need space to grow and learn from our own mistakes
- Facing Impermanence Wisely
- Greed is a recipe for dissatisfaction
- The Wealth of Contentment
- True Wealth
- Social action
- Life in Balance
- The intention to work for others
- The kindness we receive from others
- Boxed limitless potential
- Nothing is intrinsically bad
- Protective Inner Wisdom
- Taking delight in your inner nature
- Reality is your teacher
- Healthy relationships
- There are no fixed starting points
- A noble vision
- Disconnected from our own noble heart
- Authentic love toward others
- Capacity for Change