--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This dying forces you to look into…" description: "\"This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.\" — Sogyal Rinpoche" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png" --- # This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this… ![“This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.” quote by Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png) > “This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.” [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing mortality forces introspection; compassion and love become essential guides to inner peace. **In simple terms:** Death makes us look inside; compassion and love help. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion and love when confronting mortality. Themes mortality introspection compassion love Mood reflective empathetic Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - end‑of‑life care - grief counseling - personal reflection - spiritual practice Key Concepts Buddhist philosophy humanism Questions to Reflect On - How can you express compassion toward yourself in crisis? - What does love look like in moments of loss? A Different Perspective Compassion may be hard to practice amid intense fear of death. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [If I could have one wish, it would be for people to look at one another with open hearts and minds. Most of all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/if-i-could-have-one-wish-it-would-be-for-people-to-look-at-one/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [It is strange how little sharpsightedness women possess; they only notice whether they please, then whether they arouse pity, and finally, whether you look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/it-is-strange-how-little-sharpsightedness-women-possess-they-only/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [Look upon yourself only with compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-rundgren/look-upon-yourself-only-with-compassion/) [Todd Rundgren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-rundgren/) > [Differences in religious beliefs, politics, social status, and position are all secondary. When we look at someone with compassion, we are able to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/differences-in-religious-beliefs-politics-social-status-and-position/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the moment when we are able to smile, to look at ourselves with compassion, our world begins to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/in-the-moment-when-we-are-able-to-smile-to-look-at-ourselves-with/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [I think compassion is the only way to approach any subject, especially if it's to do with physical appearance. I don't think it's really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jameela-jamil/i-think-compassion-is-the-only-way-to-approach-any-subject-especially/) [Jameela Jamil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jameela-jamil/) > [“Compassion is the way you live your life every day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-a-white/compassion-is-the-way-you-live-your-life-every-day/) [Jeffrey A. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-a-white/) > [We can choose the way of compassion, the way of forgiveness, the way of generosity. Or we can choose other paths and those have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/we-can-choose-the-way-of-compassion-the-way-of-forgiveness-the-way-of/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [ “That's the bad part about Kagami. He can't separate between a fight and compassion \[...\] He's way too kind." ~ Kiyoshi Teppei” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tadatoshi-fujimaki/that-s-the-bad-part-about-kagami-he-can-t-separate-between-a-fight/) [Tadatoshi Fujimaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tadatoshi-fujimaki/) > [Compassion is a two way street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-capra/compassion-is-a-two-way-street/) [Frank Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-capra/) > [What makes the Kingdom come is heartfelt compassion: a way of tenderness that knows no frontiers, no labels, no compartmentalizing, and no sectarian divisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/what-makes-the-kingdom-come-is-heartfelt-compassion-a-way-of/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [Feeling compassion for ourselves in no way releases us from responsibility for our actions. Rather, it releases us from the self-hatred that prevents us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/feeling-compassion-for-ourselves-in-no-way-releases-us-from/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [“Relationships can be happy with low levels of love and high levels of compassion, but not the other way around.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-stosny/relationships-can-be-happy-with-low-levels-of-love-and-high-levels-of/) [Steven Stosny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-stosny/) > [“Compassion is the same way,' Joshua said. 'That's what the yeti knew. He loved constantly, instantly, spontaneously, without though or words. That's what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/compassion-is-the-same-way-joshua-said-that-s-what-the-yeti-knew-he/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [At every moment in our lives we need compassion, but what more urgent moment could there be than when we are dying? What more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/at-every-moment-in-our-lives-we-need-compassion-but-what-more-urgent/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) ## More by Sogyal Rinpoche > [That goodness is what survives death, a fundamental goodness that is in each and every one of us. The whole of our life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/that-goodness-is-what-survives-death-a-fundamental-goodness-that-is/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Why exactly are we so frightened of death that we avoid looking at it altogether? Somewhere, deep down, we know we cannot avoid facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/why-exactly-are-we-so-frightened-of-death-that-we-avoid-looking-at-it/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The masters say if you create an auspicious condition in your body and your environment then meditation and realization will automatically arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-masters-say-if-you-create-an-auspicious-condition-in-your-body/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [At every moment in our lives we need compassion, but what more urgent moment could there be than when we are dying? What more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/at-every-moment-in-our-lives-we-need-compassion-but-what-more-urgent/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Theories are like patches on a coat, one day they just wear off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/theories-are-like-patches-on-a-coat-one-day-they-just-wear-off/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [{While meditating} I sit quietly and rest in the nature of mind; I don't question or doubt whether I am in the "correct" state…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/while-meditating-i-sit-quietly-and-rest-in-the-nature-of-mind-i-don-t/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The most essential thing in life is to establish an unafraid, heartfelt communication with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-most-essential-thing-in-life-is-to-establish-an-unafraid/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The definition of mantra is "that which protects the mind." That which protects the mind from negativity, or that which protects you from your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-definition-of-mantra-is-that-which-protects-the-mind-that-which/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [If all we know of mind is the aspect of mind that dissolves when we die, we will be left with no idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/if-all-we-know-of-mind-is-the-aspect-of-mind-that-dissolves-when-we/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Western laziness consists of cramming our lives with compulsive activity, so that there is no time at all to confront the real issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/western-laziness-consists-of-cramming-our-lives-with-compulsive/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The key to finding a happy balance in modern lives is simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-key-to-finding-a-happy-balance-in-modern-lives-is-simplicity/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The purpose of meditation is to awaken in us the sky-like nature of mind, and to introduce us to that which we really are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-purpose-of-meditation-is-to-awaken-in-us-the-sky-like-nature-of/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [The real glory of meditation lies not in any method but in its continual living experience of presence, in its bliss, clarity, peace, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-real-glory-of-meditation-lies-not-in-any-method-but-in-its/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [Samsara is the mind turned outwardly, lost in its projections. Nirvana is the mind turned inwardly, recognizing its true nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/samsara-is-the-mind-turned-outwardly-lost-in-its-projections-nirvana/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) > [“The simplicity of total trust is one of the most powerful forces in the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/the-simplicity-of-total-trust-is-one-of-the-most-powerful-forces-in/) [Sogyal Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) [Explore all 144 Sogyal Rinpoche quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sogyal Rinpoche" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yourself-and-in-this-compassion-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yourself-and-in-this-compassion-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/520/sogyal-rinpoche-2963_compassion_this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yours_1263735.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This dying forces you to look into yourself. And in this, compassion is the only way. Love is the only way.” — Sogyal Rinpoche", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sogyal Rinpoche", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sogyal-rinpoche/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This dying forces you to look...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yourself-and-in-this-compassion-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sogyal-rinpoche/this-dying-forces-you-to-look-into-yourself-and-in-this-compassion-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```