--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For it is not what happens to us that…" description: "\"“For it is not what happens to us that determines our character, our experience, our karma, and our destiny - but how we relate to what happens.”\" — La..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/lama-surya-das-16324_character_for-it-is-not-what-happens-to-us-that-de_3003260.jpg" --- # For it is not what happens to us that determines our… ![“For it is not what happens to us that determines our character, our experience, our karma, and our destiny - but how we relate to what happens.” quote by Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/lama-surya-das-16324_character_for-it-is-not-what-happens-to-us-that-de_3003260.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/lama-surya-das-16324_character_for-it-is-not-what-happens-to-us-that-de_3003260.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/lama-surya-das-16324_character_for-it-is-not-what-happens-to-us-that-de_3003260.jpg) > ““For it is not what happens to us that determines our character, our experience, our karma, and our destiny - but how we relate to what happens.”” [Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lama-surya-das/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Character is shaped not by events but by our response to them, influencing karma and destiny. **In simple terms:** Response to events defines character. Key Takeaway Choose mindful reactions. Themes mindfulness karma destiny Mood calm reflective Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal setbacks - career changes Key Concepts Buddhist philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to unexpected challenges? - What habits foster resilient reactions? A Different Perspective Hard to control external events. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Destiny Relate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny-relate-4778253/) [Experience Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-karma-4778254/) [Karma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma/) [Karma Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karma-destiny-4572641/) [Relate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relate/) [Relate Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relate-happens-3769907/) ## Related quotes > [“We all have certain desires and undesired outcomes related to whatever possible course and attitude we take in life, whether it be at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lama-surya-das/we-all-have-certain-desires-and-undesired-outcomes-related-to/) [Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lama-surya-das/) > [All of us can relate to when something happens in your life and it just completely changes it. Now you have to figure out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-layne/all-of-us-can-relate-to-when-something-happens-in-your-life-and-it/) [KiKi Layne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-layne/) > [If you make a good family movie, then everybody in the family can relate to somebody, or in this case something. That's always enjoyable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/if-you-make-a-good-family-movie-then-everybody-in-the-family-can/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [I don't exactly relate to grey characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-kay-menon/i-don-t-exactly-relate-to-grey-characters/) [Kay Kay Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-kay-menon/) > [I'm a storyteller - that's my chamber, that's my box. 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It is the inner clinging that entangles us." - Tilopa”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lama-surya-das/it-is-not-the-outer-objects-that-entangle-us-it-is-the-inner-clinging/) [Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lama-surya-das/) > [“I have been thinking that the crux of happiness matter for me is whether or not I am in the moment, in the flow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lama-surya-das/i-have-been-thinking-that-the-crux-of-happiness-matter-for-me-is/) [Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lama-surya-das/) > [“All the happiness and virtue in this world come from selflessness and generosity, all the sorrow from egotism, selfishness, and greed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lama-surya-das/all-the-happiness-and-virtue-in-this-world-come-from-selflessness-and/) [Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lama-surya-das/) > [“We need to learn how to live consciously and, trusting ourselves, purposefully on that inevitable balance point between form and emptiness, relative and absolute,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lama-surya-das/we-need-to-learn-how-to-live-consciously-and-trusting-ourselves/) [Lama Surya Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lama-surya-das/) > [“All too easily, however, we can become distracted, scared, frustrated, gullible, cynical, or just plain inattentive. 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