Beyond Amassing Resentment

People harm others only when they are unhappy. No one wakes up in the morning and says, “I feel so great today! I think I’ll go out and harm someone!”

When we can allow ourselves to know the depth of the pain and confusion felt by those who have harmed us, compassion—the wish that they be free from such suffering—can easily arise.

Thinking in this way does not mean whitewashing or denying harm that was done. Rather, we acknowledge it, but go beyond amassing resentment, because we know that grudges help neither ourselves nor others.

by Thubten Chodron