Regardless of what’s happening outside, we can behave in a responsible manner, a harmless manner.

"It’s often the case that when we’re disappointed outside, it’s not just the case that we simply suffer. We can also lash out at what we don’t like — out of disappointment, out of a sense of being treated unjustly. That often creates more problems, just more bad karma.

So this practice we do is not only for our own good in the sense of finding a reliable sense of comfort inside, but also it means that we can become more reliable in our actions — the things we do and say and think. In that way, regardless of what’s happening outside, we can behave in a responsible manner, a harmless manner."

~ Thanissaro Bhikkhu "Inner Refuge"

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