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Last weekend, we drove through downtown San Francisco, on our way to an inspiring talk by the DalaiLama. As we drove, we saw many lamp post banners, referring to the encouragement from University of San Francisco….

“Change the world from here”

perhaps referring to  USF’s programs, or perhaps encouraging us to create change, starting from our own communities.

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In his inspiring talk, The DalaiLama, who had also seen and been impressed by those many banners,  specifically brought our attention to that expression on those banners….

“Change the world from here”

The Dalai Lama made the point, and encouraged us to understand that any desired  “change” starts not just “out there”…but from within our own hearts…he emphasized that’s where any change needs to begin…within us…within our own hearts.

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In Buddhism,  the heart and mind are considered to be “located” at the heart….in the chest area.  So, “starting from our own hearts” includes “starting from our own minds,”  too… thinking, processing, reflecting, associating, reacting…. all of those tying in with our heart qualities.

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Whatever we hope to have more of in the world…
perhaps, we  need to nurture and develop those qualities in our own hearts…

If we want more peace in the world,
we can increasingly develop and nurture a sense of peace in our own hearts.

If we want increasing kindness in the world,
we can develop and nurture kindness in our own hearts.

If we want generosity in the world,
we can increase a sense of generosity in our own hearts.

Whatever we hope to have more of in the world…
to nurture and develop those qualities in our own hearts…

And then, we’ll be able to more effectively share those qualities with others…
inspire others…
encourage others….
contributing to creating those vital  “changes” in our world

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“Change the world from here…starting from our own hearts”

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Once that shift has happened within us, it can radiate outward and create change and transformation in our families, friendships, communities…and then out into the world.

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“Change the world from here…starting from our own hearts”

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an insightful and inspiring message

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May we all nurture and inspire positive changes in our own hearts,
and then encourage those changes to radiate out and be shared with others,
for the benefit of all beings

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