The Fourteenth Dalai Lama — the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader and best-selling author — has amazing and inspirational recovery quotes that are relevant no matter your religion or faith. His quotes on happiness, compassion, and dealing with tragedy have the power to transform your life, if you have the courage to apply his philosophies everyday. Start by reading these 10 Dalai Lama inspirational recovery quotes that can guide you through recovery from addiction.
Dalai Lama Quotes to Live By
“Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.”
At the beginning of recovery, remind yourself every morning that life is precious. After a while you will begin to believe it and feel fortunate to be alive. Then, resolve not to waste life on alcohol or drugs. Only then can you focus your energy on bettering yourself and helping other people.
“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”
People often cope with tragedy by abusing drugs and alcohol. Getting over addiction and facing tragedy head-on and completely sober takes strength people don’t even know they have. Getting treatment for addiction will make you a stronger person than ever before.
Inspirational Recovery Quotes
“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways— either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.”
You have two choices— let the addiction take over your life and destroy everything you care about, or get help and find the strength to overcome addiction.
“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it’s not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”
Stop focusing on the worst-case scenario. Addition is fixable if you ask for help and get the right treatment.
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
People often blame the world for their problems. Tragic circumstances make it difficult to find happiness, but that doesn’t mean you will never be happy again. You have to work to find healthy coping mechanisms instead of easily falling into destructive habits. The world isn’t going to hand you happiness, you have to take it for yourself.
Finding Inspiration in the Words of Others
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
You can’t truly recover from addiction until you address the underlying psychological reasons for the addiction. Many people use drugs to forget and deny their problems. You will never find peace in the world if you don’t confront the pain that drugs can only momentarily take away.
“It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.”
After recovery, many people dedicate themselves to helping others overcome addiction and find happiness sober. Understanding what it’s like to hit rock-bottom helps people appreciate their new life in recovery more, and have compassion for people that still need help.
“I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives. I’m not talking about the short-term gratification of pleasures like sex, drugs or gambling (though I’m not knocking them), but something that will bring true and lasting happiness. The kind that sticks.”
People often look for short-term solutions that don’t stick. Drugs and alcohol offer a temporary escape from problems, but don’t provide long-term satisfaction. Even simple things, like having compassion and caring for another person or animal, can give people genuine happiness.
Morningside Recovery
Sometimes, it takes inspiration saying or quotes to help other gets started or stay motivated during recovery. The words of the Dalai Lama may not necessarily be about addiction or substance abuse, but they’re still applicable. Use these inspirational recovery quotes to take your next step on your recovery journey. Call Morningside Recovery today at 855-631-2135 to learn about our rehab programs, addiction therapy services, and detox programs.
