These words of wisdom from Albert Einstein sound more like they came from a Buddhist teacher like the Dalai Lama or Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and not from the most famous scientist of the 20th century.
The Dalai Lama would say, “The fact that we will die is certain. The time of death is uncertain.” He also says, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
Thich Nhat Hanh says about the nature of interbeing,
If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the trees cannot grow; and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for the paper to exist. If the cloud is not here, the sheet of paper cannot be here either. So we can say that the cloud and the paper inter-are. “Interbeing” is a word that is not in the dictionary yet, but if we combine the prefix “inter-“ with the verb “to be,” we have a new verb, inter-be.
Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others, for the countless unknown souls to whose fate we are connected by a bond of compassion. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of others, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.
– Albert Einstein
If we put together the quotes from the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh, we have, in essence, what Albert Einstein said. “Being here for the sake of others” is the insight of interbeing.
When we realize the we are here for the sake of others, we develop generosity towards them and feel compassion for their suffering. If other people treat us the same way, with compassion and loving kindness, we all thrive and live happy lives.
Can you think of how many people you are here for the sake of? How many people are here for your sake? Please share.
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