--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our attitude in the face of life's…" description: "\"Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines our suffering or our freedom.\" — Tara Brach" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png" --- # Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines… ![“Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines our suffering or our freedom.” quote by Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png) > “Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines our suffering or our freedom.” [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our mindset shapes whether challenges become sources of pain or freedom. **In simple terms:** Attitude determines suffering. Key Takeaway Cultivate a freeing perspective. Themes mindfulness freedom challenge psychology attachment Mood calm inspired Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - stressful work - health crises - relationship conflicts Key Concepts therapy spiritual practice Questions to Reflect On - How do you reframe challenges? - What habits foster freedom? A Different Perspective Changing mindset is difficult without practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [The Laws of Reasoning consist of the ground, the path, and the result. ...Suffering is in the mind. How we perceive happiness determines our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-laws-of-reasoning-consist-of-the-ground-the-path-and-the-result/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are stories we take on from our culture, and there are stories based on our own personal history. Some of those stories lock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/there-are-stories-we-take-on-from-our-culture-and-there-are-stories/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/peace-is-within-oneself-to-be-found-in-the-same-place-as-agitation/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [In the West, there's a myth that freedom means free expression-that to follow all desires wherever they take one is true freedom. In fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-the-west-there-s-a-myth-that-freedom-means-free-expression-that-to/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Freedom is not won by a passive acceptance of suffering. Freedom is won by a struggle against suffering. By this measure, Negroes have not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/freedom-is-not-won-by-a-passive-acceptance-of-suffering-freedom-is/) [Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/) > [Which country is suffering from too much freedom of speech? Name it, is there one?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/which-country-is-suffering-from-too-much-freedom-of-speech-name-it-is/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [“...suffering and freedom have their limits...those limits are very near together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/suffering-and-freedom-have-their-limits-those-limits-are-very-near/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The question 'Who am I?' is not an idle one. How you answer the question will determine how you live the rest of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neale-donald-walsch/the-question-who-am-i-is-not-an-idle-one-how-you-answer-the-question/) [Neale Donald Walsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neale-donald-walsch/) > [It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/it-is-not-your-aptitude-but-your-attitude-that-determines-your/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Remember, the thoughts that you think and the statements you make regarding yourself determine your mental attitude. If you have a worthwhile objective, find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/remember-the-thoughts-that-you-think-and-the-statements-you-make/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [The spirit in which a thing is given determines that in which the debt is acknowledged; it's the intention, not the face-value of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-spirit-in-which-a-thing-is-given-determines-that-in-which-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have reached a point in my life where I understand the pain and the challenges; and my attitude is one of standing up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myrlie-evers-williams/i-have-reached-a-point-in-my-life-where-i-understand-the-pain-and-the/) Myrlie Evers-Williams > [I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude... When my attitudes are right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/i-believe-the-single-most-significant-decision-i-can-make-on-a-day-to/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-neuharth/the-difference-between-a-mountain-and-a-molehill-is-your-perspective/) [Al Neuharth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-neuharth/) ## More by Tara Brach > [It is natural that our minds replay old stories, because that is our own mechanism for trying to work out unresolved problems. Yet rerunning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/it-is-natural-that-our-minds-replay-old-stories-because-that-is-our/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [The great gift of a spiritual path is coming to trust that you can find a way to true refuge. You realize that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/the-great-gift-of-a-spiritual-path-is-coming-to-trust-that-you-can/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Sometimes the easiest way to appreciate ourselves is by looking through the eyes of someone who loves us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/sometimes-the-easiest-way-to-appreciate-ourselves-is-by-looking/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [By taking the time to explore charged memories in therapy we might uncover feelings that have been buried for decades.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/by-taking-the-time-to-explore-charged-memories-in-therapy-we-might/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [To me, bringing mindfulness-bas ed practices to students, teachers and parents is some of the most important work we can be doing. If we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/to-me-bringing-mindfulness-bas-ed-practices-to-students-teachers-and/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [The mistake we make is that when we're feeling another person is not treating us in the way that makes us feel secure and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/the-mistake-we-make-is-that-when-we-re-feeling-another-person-is-not/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Emotions are the interaction of thoughts and of sensations in the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/emotions-are-the-interaction-of-thoughts-and-of-sensations-in-the-body/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Become a witness to your thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/become-a-witness-to-your-thoughts/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [My prayer became 'May I find peace... May I love this life no matter what.' I was seeking an inner refuge, an experience of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/my-prayer-became-may-i-find-peace-may-i-love-this-life-no-matter-what/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [When we see the secret beauty of anyone, including ourselves, we see past our judgment and fear into the core of who we truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/when-we-see-the-secret-beauty-of-anyone-including-ourselves-we-see/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [I think it's possible to have experiences of love without attachment, but I think part of our conditioning is to grasp at times, especially…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/i-think-it-s-possible-to-have-experiences-of-love-without-attachment/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [But this revolutionary act of treating ourselves tenderly can begin to undo the aversive messages of a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/but-this-revolutionary-act-of-treating-ourselves-tenderly-can-begin/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Stories about ourselves and about the world continually arise in our minds and shape our beliefs about reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/stories-about-ourselves-and-about-the-world-continually-arise-in-our/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Discovering a richer quality of being-ness means to keep surrendering and letting go of resistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/discovering-a-richer-quality-of-being-ness-means-to-keep-surrendering/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [“After several days, I had a pivotal interview with my teacher. When I described how I’d become so overwhelmed, she calmly asked, “How are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/after-several-days-i-had-a-pivotal-interview-with-my-teacher-when-i/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) [Explore all 200 Tara Brach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines our suffering or our freedom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tara Brach" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-challenges-determines-our/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-challenges-determines-our/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b49/tara-brach-1898_attitude_our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-chall_183077.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our attitude in the face of life's challenges determines our suffering or our freedom.” — Tara Brach", "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": "Tara Brach", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our attitude in the face of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-challenges-determines-our/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/our-attitude-in-the-face-of-life-s-challenges-determines-our/#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 } } ] } ```