The Art of Happiness

have been very difficult. While I was in Tibet,because of the way the political system was setup, there was a certain degree of respect given tothe office of the Dalai Lama and people relatedto me accordingly, regardless of whether theyhad true affection towards me or not. But if thatwas the only basis of people’s relation towardsme, then when I lost my country, it would havebeen extremely difficult. But there is anothersource of worth and dignity from which you canrelate to other fellow human beings. You canrelate to them because you are still a humanbeing, within the human community. Youshare that bond. And that human bond isenough to give rise to a sense of worth anddignity. That bond can become a source ofconsolation in the event that you loseeverything else.”