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Compassion Quote by Roger Walsh

“Life Contains Inevitable Difficulties Life is not only short, but difficult. There are times of great joy, love, triumph, and delight, moments when we are beside ourselves with happiness. But there are also times of inevitable sorrow: of sickness and loss, of grief and despair. There are also…” quote by Roger Walsh
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““Life Contains Inevitable Difficulties Life is not only short, but difficult. There are times of great joy, love, triumph, and delight, moments when we are beside ourselves with happiness. But there are also times of inevitable sorrow: of sickness and loss, of grief and despair. There are also incomprehensible amounts of unnecessary sorrow: of senseless oppression and torment, slaughter and suffering. None of us escapes life unscathed. It is crucial to recognize this and not gloss over the inevitable difficulties of life, because “If a way to the Better there be, it exacts a full look at the Worst.” This is why religious scholar Jacob Needleman concluded, from his survey of world religions: The perception of the suffering inherent in the human condition, the perception of man’s inhumanity to man: this moment of awareness has been spoken of in all traditions as a tremendous moment. It is a tremendous moment because it is the recognition of suffering—both ours and the world’s—which gives birth to both compassion and the urge to awaken. These motives propel us to spiritual practice and thereby eventually allow us to escape suffering and to relieve the suffering of others. Our””

Roger Walsh

About This Quote

Source Book: Spirituality and the Human Condition by Roger Walsh, 2005

Life inevitably includes both profound joy and deep suffering; recognizing suffering leads to compassion and spiritual awakening.

In simple terms: Life has joy and suffering.

Key Takeaway

Embrace both to grow.

Themes

philosophy spirituality suffering

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • counseling
  • mindfulness practice
  • grief support
  • social activism

Key Concepts

compassion awakening human condition

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance joy and sorrow?
  • What practices foster compassion?
A Different Perspective

Focusing only on suffering can cause despair.

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