Skip to content

Habits Quote by Sylvia Boorstein

“Sadness isn't a kilesha , a habit pattern evoked by challenge. Sadness is what the mind feels when it is bereaved or bereft. All the wisdom in the world about the inevitability of change or the lawfulness of karma does not ease the heaviness in the mind that we feel when we lose someone, or…” quote by Sylvia Boorstein
Download Open image
““Sadness isn't a kilesha , a habit pattern evoked by challenge. Sadness is what the mind feels when it is bereaved or bereft. All the wisdom in the world about the inevitability of change or the lawfulness of karma does not ease the heaviness in the mind that we feel when we lose someone, or something, we hold dear [p. 148].””

Sylvia Boorstein

About This Quote

Source Book: Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach, 2003

Sadness arises from loss, not from philosophical ideas; understanding does not lessen the pain of bereavement.

In simple terms: Loss causes sadness, not ideas.

Key Takeaway

Accept grief, seek support.

Themes

grief loss mindfulness

Mood

somber reflective

Type

philosophical emotional

When to use this quote

  • death of a loved one
  • ending a relationship
  • moving away from a home
  • career change

Key Concepts

attachment impermanence karma

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you honor the memory of what you lost?
  • What practices help you sit with grief?
A Different Perspective

Philosophical reasoning alone cannot heal emotional pain.

2.5 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by Sylvia Boorstein

Explore all 93 Sylvia Boorstein quotes

More Habits quotes

Browse all 12,567 Habits quotes