Some years ago I met some scientists in the United States who said that the rate of mental illness in their country was quite high - around twelve percent of the population. It became clear during our discussion that the main cause of the depression was not a lack of material necessities but a deprivation of the affection of others. This is very sad. Humans are not solitary animals that associate only in order to mate.
Insight From the Dalai Lama: 2007 Calendar," Copyright © 2006, Andrews McMeel Publishing.
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Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama, sees to the crux of the matter. If the needs of the human heart are not met, then no amount of material luxuries will satisfy us.
The Dalai Lama is very insightful when it comes to matter of the human condition, he has a talent for seeing things as they are, and has no fear of telling it like it is.
This is bringing something to mind that actually has me in stitches as I think about writing it here (that I would have the audacity to do so…but hey…I am who I am:)…but it is such a strong example of “affection” in it’s very purest form (at least in my very simple mind...lol)….well you see…my daughter and son-in-law are quite happy to have me nearby and I have risen to quite the height in their estimation especially since I am pretty much happy to baby-sit whenever they ask me...('course then...I know how fast these precious moments fly by)..…but the funny thing is that it has gotten to the point that they actually shorten their nights out together and come and sit and watch me and my grandson together(I’m not kidding)…my daughter said just the other night…well…here we sit just watching you two again…….because our bond of love and affection is so strong with each other and we spend so much time playing and laughing and adoring each other…it just brings them happiness and joy to watch us together…in the beginning …as is often the case…my son-in-law was a bit worried as to how I would “fit in” to the whole situation…but now he is the one who is the happiest about things and is thrilled with my loving relationship with his son…and with my daughter…and now…with him….there is great affection….oneness between all of us…believe me this is a miraculous turn of events…the beauty of this “love” and affection is while I adore the relationship with each of them (and all my children for that matter)…because of this oneness thing I find that I can have very loving and happy interactions with most people I meet…of course…some people are more in tune with their love so it is easier to connect with them…and there are those with which you bond with very deeply…with whom you hold an affection that spans space and time even…never ending…and as he mentioned about "associating only to find a mate"...well that really limits things quite a bit...when you seek to love all people unconditionally...it opens up your world beyond measure...and the real beauty is that on a day to day basis you can connect and love and have affection for a multitude of people….Jesus did it…and it was a beautiful thang….and it still is…:)
It is unfortunate we do put conditions on love because of fear.
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