“In order to be loved, we have to love, which means we have to understand.”
“If you offer your beloved something she does not need, that is not maitri. You have to see her real situation.”
“If you were to say to me, `Thây, I love you so much I would like you to eat some of this durian [which he doesn’t like],’
I would suffer. You love me, you want me to be happy, but you force me to eat durian. That is an example of love without understanding. Your intention is good but you don’t have the correct understanding.”
“Without understanding, your love is not true love. You must look deeply in order to see and understand the needs, aspirations and suffering of the ones you love. Love brings us joy and well-being. It is as natural as the air. We are loved by the air; we need fresh air to be happy and well.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
(Maitri=Love, Friendship and the intention and capacity to offer joy and happiness)