Too much involvement with one's feeling [is destructive]. If they have too much self-centered feelings, they get in trouble. Matthieu Ricard More Quotes by Matthieu Ricard More Quotes From Matthieu Ricard A big part of pain is the subjective reaction of trying to revolt against pain. If it's there, it's better to deal with it. Most of it is "I cannot stand it," and that component is enhancing pain so much. Matthieu Ricard reactions pain trying Just be free, and at least you will go through adversity with a stronger mind, and therefore, you'll be less affected, and pain will affect you less. Matthieu Ricard adversity pain mind You get [something] in your body that is the suffering or the problem, and then you [add] a second one, which is worry. In both cases, [it is] pointless. Matthieu Ricard suffering worry add I was born in France. My father was a renowned French philosopher and journalist, and my mother was a painter. So I grew up in Parisian intellectual circles. Matthieu Ricard circles mother father You can't be at the same time a spiritual master and someone who is always angry. It doesn't work. Matthieu Ricard spiritual-masters masters spiritual The Dalai Lama has been extremely interested in science since his childhood. Matthieu Ricard dalai lama childhood We have known about the placebo effect for many years. This is a remarkable effect - placebo can cure 30 percent in many cases. Matthieu Ricard placebo-effect cures years I think if your direction in life is clear and if you develop the wish to accomplish/have a fulfilled life and to contribute something to others, I think that definitely gives you such a strength to want to be alive, that that would be the best placebo. Matthieu Ricard wish giving thinking Placebos are like the lollipop of optimism, but we can do much better by dealing directly with the mind... And it works! Matthieu Ricard lollipop optimism mind We vastly underestimate the power of transformation of mind. Matthieu Ricard transformation underestimate mind When you engage in compassion, and you hear a distressing sound, like someone calling for help, there is an activation in an area of the brain called the insular, which has to do with empathy and altruism, that is vastly more activated than in non-meditators. Matthieu Ricard empathy compassion brain When faced with adverse circumstances, if you can do something, do it and there is not need to worry. If you can't do anything, then there is no point to worry. So in either case, worrying is an added suffering. But this does not mean of course that we should not be unhappy about injustice, abuse and other kinds of behavior that brings suffering upon others. Matthieu Ricard abuse worry mean In a way, there's nothing wrong with playing the piano, but it's not a huge trauma if you don't. Matthieu Ricard trauma piano way [You] can dramatically change [your emotions] to be more altruistic, more loving, more compassionate, more attentive, and especially to have an inner sort of confidence and strength that you know that you have the resources to deal with whatever comes your way. Matthieu Ricard resources emotion way If you don't have altruism, inner strength, inner peace, attention, then it's a trauma. It makes a difficult life for you and for others. Matthieu Ricard inner-strength inner-peace attention Various studies indicate that with age people gain more wisdom about life and are somehow happier than younger people. This is especially true if, as we age, we learn how to become more generous, altruistic, and peaceful. Matthieu Ricard peaceful age people It is in learning music that many youthful hearts learn to love. Matthieu Ricard music heart love Good and evil exist only in terms of the happiness or suffering they create in ourselves and others Matthieu Ricard good-and-evil suffering evil I got really involved in science research and the science of meditation. Matthieu Ricard involved research meditation