Dr. Thomas Maples

Inspirational Quote

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

Gautama Buddha

The Psychology Perspective

Today’s quote is from Gautama Buddha, who lived nearly 5 centuries before Christ. I have always had a profound respect for the teachings of Eastern philosophy. Like any great work of wisdom, the prince that would one day become Buddha knew that individuals respond much more openly to love versus than to hate.

As of late, I have seen only division being presented as the status quo. It has become difficult to sew love where all that is presented is hate. Or is this the case?

Whether Christian, Buddhist, Hindi, or Islamic, we need to examine the words of wisdom provided by the great teachers of old, and break it down by the concepts they wished to teach. The Golden Rule exists in every major religion, and unfortunately in secular society, we seem to have moved away from this simple, yet highly effective way of interacting with our environment and peers. As the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi once said…

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

St. Francis of Assisi

I will have more on this subject in this weeks The Psychology Perspective post.

Have a question you want answered? I would be happy to include one in The Psychology Perspective Post.